Hong Kong is one of the world's foremost financial centres, and the largest in Asia. In order to operate wisely and efficiently, bankers, brokers, dealers and fund managers require the provision of up-to-the-minute records and statistics including share price fluctuations, currency changes and stock market values. They also require access to confidential data pertinent to their clients' personal transactions and portfolios. This precious information, which flows from all corners of the globe, is supplied to their desktop monitors by high-tech computer systems housed in dedicated Data Centres. Despite the enormous value of the computer equipment they house, and the essential nature of the information they retain and transmit, these Data Centres are often at risk from inadequate or erratic electro-mechanical services. Unreliable air conditioning plant or deficient coolant supplies may cause mainframes and racks to overheat, resulting in malfunction and loss of data. Electrical problems may cause irreparable damage to IT equipment: recent surveys suggest that around 45% of all IT data loss is the result of power cuts or spikes. A simple breakdown could well result in the wholesale deprivation of essential information, and effectively bring the operations of a major financial institution to a standstill. The effects of such a scenario in terms of damage to the profitability and reputation of an organisation affected by such a catastrophe are frightening. Nowadays, with these risks in mind, most banks and finance houses expect their architects and designers to include safeguards against such threats, and most IT Suites now feature back-up systems such as Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Dual-Circuit Coolant Systems. However, for a variety of reasons, vital steps aimed at protecting IT equipment are sometimes not taken. Designers may exclude crucial equipment or select plant which presents a high risk of failure. In-depth testing of protective devices may never have been specified, properly managed or conducted. Although protected to a degree, Data Centres are often far from "bulletproof." So, how would we address such a scenario? First of all, we would examine the services design in detail, ensuring that all potential weaknesses and "single points of failure" were pinpointed and resolved. Then, the installation itself would be examined to ensure an adequacy of quality, performance and reliability. Finally, we would conduct an Integrated System Test, whereby all types of potential failures would be simulated, and the effectiveness of the associated protective devices and equipment proven beyond doubt. Armed with the knowledge that their Data Centre was fully safeguarded against failure, the Institution in question could proceed with the confidence that its staff would at all times receive the flow of information upon which they rely so heavily, and that the efficiency of the company's operation as a whole would remain unimpaired..