Organizations need to take control of remote data centres and standardize Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) or face the consequences, according to APC data centre consultant, David Blumanis.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the importance of disaster recovery and data centres has never been more pertinent.

"Katrina has demonstrated that no one area is safe and just how dependant organizations have become on automated and IT processes," Blumanis said.

A veteran of 25 years in the IT industry, Blumanis has worked as a user and consultant for a number of companies including Singtel Optus, Telstra and Tech Pacific.

He will be a keynote speaker on the importance of remote data centres, at the South East Asian Regional Computer Confederation 2005 Conference, (SEARCC 2005) in Sydney this month.

Targetting CIOs, facilities operators, IT, network and data centre managers, he will highlight the importance of organizations getting involved with remote data centres.

Although many organizations employ remote data recovery sites, the processes, implementation and operators are often run by third-party facilitators.

"Many companies don't have control over their NCPI," he said. "Problems arise when companies share buildings with each other and the task of setting up remote data centres is placed in the building operator's hands."

Blumanis said organizations must standardize the facilities layer of NCPI, just as servers and general IT products are regularly standardized within companies.

He will also highlight the costs of reviewing risk models, an important subject he sees as being overlooked.

"Companies are not executing full-blown integrated business continuity plans to test what would happen if their sites disappeared," he said. "It's a very costly exercise and a lot of organizations fear the impact of doing a real test."

The SEARCC 2005 conference will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 28 to 30.