Certified Data Center Associate (CDCA®) - Academic

From the apps on mobile devices and computers to online shopping, streaming platforms, cloud storage, and even everyday banking - every digital activity is powered by data centers, the backbone of the modern world.

Global demand for data storage and processing is doubling at record speed, with new data center facilities being built across every region in the world. This rapid expansion is fuelling huge opportunities for skilled professionals. Careers in data centers and their supporting industries are not only exciting but also among the most future proof in today’s digital world.

Designed for higher education students, the Certified Data Center Associate (CDCA^®) program equips students with essential knowledge about data centers, their components and operations. These skills open doors across the entire digital economy, from data center and IT to mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering, cybersecurity, sustainability, and more. With CDCA^®, students enhance their career opportunities with global technology companies, data centers, cloud providers, IT solution providers, equipment designers/manufacturers, consulting firms, and outsourced service providers.

• Career Ready Skills: Acquire the foundational knowledge needed to land internships, research projects, and jobs in the fast-growing data center industry and its global supply chain.
• Global Recognition: Earn a credential recognized worldwide, boosting your resume for high-demand roles across the digital economy.
• Industry-Relevant Knowledge: Master the same principles and terminology used by professionals working in global technology companies, cloud providers, and colocation facilities.
• Interdisciplinary Skills: Develop an understanding of engineering, business, and sustainability concepts, making you adaptable in multiple fields.
• Pathway to Specialization: Use CDCA^® as a first step toward advanced certifications in design, operations, or compliance, increasing employability.
• Sustainability Focus: Understand how data centers impact the planet and how future professionals can drive innovation in energy efficiency and green technology.

The primary audience is students in higher education institutions pursuing IT or engineering studies.

There is no specific prerequisite for the CDCA^® course other than a desire to learn

After completion of the course the participant will be able to:

• Understand the Big Picture: Explore the history, business importance, and future sustainability challenges of data centers.
• Know the Types: Learn the differences between colocation, enterprise, cloud, edge and hyperscale facilities.
• Master Site Selection: Understand the criteria for data center site selection.
• Apply Global Standards: Understand international standards and topologies that define quality and reliability.
• Explore Core Infrastructure: Gain knowledge on infrastructures from architecture to power, cooling, fire protection, monitoring, safety and security.
• Understand the Interdisciplinary Nature: Learn how multiple disciplines work together to manage, operate and maintain data centers.
• Focus on Sustainability: Understand the environmental impact of data centers and how renewable energy and efficiency metrics like PUE, WUE, CUE shape the industry.
• Plan Your Career: Discover career pathways in design/build, operations, governance, or standards and compliance.

Introduction to Data Centers

• History of Data Centers

The Data Center and Its Relation to Business

• The relationship between data center and business
• Importance of a data center
• Causes of unavailability
• The data center market and industry challenges

Definition of Different Types of Data Centers

• Enterprise data center
• Commercial/Co-lo data center
• Wholesale
• Cloud data center
• Modular/Edge data center
• Hyperscale data center

Data Center Standards

• Standards and guidelines
• Standard development process
• SDO, SO, AB/NAB, RCB/CB/CAB
• Comparison of common data center standards

Topology Designs

• Rating definitions
• Example of ratings levels
• Concurrent Maintainability
• Fault Tolerant
• Compartmentalization
• Definitions of N, N+x, 2N, 2N+x

Data Center Site Selection

• Criteria for selecting the data center location
• Criteria for facility and supporting infrastructure

Data Center Facilities Areas

• Listing of all areas and their function

Components of the Architectural Infrastructure

• Walls
• Windows
• Doors
• Roof
• (Raised) Floor
• (Suspended) Ceiling

Components of the Power Infrastructure

• The basics of electricity
• Basic formulas and calculations
• AC/DC/Power/Power factor
• Utility power
• Microgrid
• Transformers
• Diesel and Turbine Generators
• Fuel systems
• ATS
• Static/Dynamic UPS systems
• Battery types and technology
• Electrical switch gear
• Cabling/busbar systems
• Power rails/strips

Lights

• Lights
• Emergency lighting

Components of the Cooling Infrastructure

• Cooling requirements and standards
• Chillers
• DX Systems
• Make up water
• Chemical dosing
• CRAC/CRAU/HVAC
• Cooling concepts for computer rooms
• Raised/non-raised floor, containment
• High density / liquid cooling
• Geothermal cooling

Components of the ICT/Network Infrastructure

• Racks
• Equipment mounting
• Network cabling (fibre, copper)
• Cable trays and pathways
• TIA 606B labelling

AI Infrastructure Design Requirements

• Power infrastructure design considerations
• Cooling infrastructure design considerations

Components of Fire Suppression

• Detection systems
• Water-based suppression systems
• Gaseous-based suppression systems
• Fire prevention system
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire safety

Safety

• Safety requirements
• Safety practices and industry norms
• Safety signage and alarm systems

Data Center Monitoring Systems

• Environmental Monitoring System (EMS)
• Building Management System (BMS)
• Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)
• Liquid leak detection
• Notification Systems

Components of Security Infrastructure

• Perimeter security
• Physical protection
• CCTV/VSS
• Access control

Data Center Operations

• Operations team
• Roles and duties of the operations team
• Asset management
• Facilities Maintenance
• Floor management
• Equipment installation from truck to rack
• Monitoring and reporting
• Vendor management
• Security management
• Safety & Crisis management
• Document management

Impact of Data Centers on the Environment

• Predictions made in 2010
• Current situation
• Kyoto protocol / the Paris agreement and others
• Outlook and commitments

Environmental Sustainability

• Environmental sustainability framework (ISO 14001)
• Standards and guidelines – ISO 50001 / ISO 30134
• Data center eciency mode
• The three scopes for GHG emissions
• Measurement and categories
• Baselining
• Trend analysis
• Reporting

Key Metrics

• PUE - Power Usage Effectiveness
• WUE - Water Usage Effectiveness
• CUE - Carbon Usage Effectiveness
• REF - Renewable Energy Factor

Waste Management

• Life-cycle assessment
• 3 R’s for waste management

Sustainable Energy Usage

• Sustainable energy sources
• Power purchase agreements
• Energy attribute certificates
• Renewable Energy Factor (REF)
• Matching renewable energy supply and demand
• Sustainable energy storage
• Carbon trading

The exam is a 2.5 hours closed book exam with 120 multiple-choice questions. The passing mark is 84 out of 120.

Students who pass the exam will be awarded the internationally accredited and recognised 'Certified Data Center Associate’ (CDCA^®) certificate. Valid for three years, the certificate can easily be renewed through a simple recertification process, ensuring it remains relevant for career advancement. Candidates can also progress to higher level certifications within the EPI Data Center Training Framework, accelerating your career growth.

The CDCA^® certification is accredited by EXIN, an internationally respected, independent organization that ensures training programs meet high standards of quality. With over 30 years of experience, EXIN is trusted by governments and organisations around the world. For students, this means your CDCA^® certificate carries global recognition, giving you a valuable credential that employers respect.

To continue building your expertise, we recommend progressing to CDCP^® or CDFOS^®. CDCP^® is designed for professionals pursuing the facility design specialization, while CDFOS^® focuses on operations management.

The CDCA^® program is available only through higher education institutes, giving students exclusive access to this globally recognized certification as part of their studies.

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