Underground Caverns Keep Things Cold, Safe… and Secret

When WikiLeaks wants to safeguard its trove of diplomatic cables or Kraft needs to keep tons of cheese cold, they head beneath the surface.

Pionen Data Center Stockholm, Sweden

Where does WikiLeaks keep its secrets? In a former military bunker and nuclear shelter under Stockholm’s city streets. Nicknamed the James Bond Villain Data Center, this 8,000-server facility, which could theoretically withstand a nuclear impact, is protected by 24-hour video surveillance and a 2-foot-thick armored door. Two German V12 diesel submarine engines are on standby for backup power. Recycling a war room comes at a price, though: Bahnhof—the ISP that runs the data center—had to have the glass and frames for the walkway and conference room custom-cut to accommodate the curved walls and uneven ceiling.

Photos: Christoph Morlinghaus