Microsoft Releases Azure Blueprint To Support UK Government Security Practices

Microsoft says its Azure Blueprint for the UK Government’s Cloud Security Principles will provide the highest level of security for cloud services.

Azure Blueprint for the UK Government details how services built on Microsoft’s cloud platform implement the 14 cloud security principles published by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, which include practices around data governance, authentication and operational security.

“The Azure Blueprint UK Government Customer Responsibilities Matrix outlines how Azure implements security controls designed to satisfy each security principle and assists customers in understanding how they may implement safeguards within their Azure solution to fulfill the requirements of each principle where they hold a responsibility,” said Matt Rathbun, chief information security officer for Azure Government.

Microsoft has also released a Blueprint compliance architecture ARM (Azure Resource Manager) template on GitHub, which provides a baseline from which customers can build secure environments in line with the cloud security principles.

Yammer integration

In other Microsoft news, business communication service Yammer has been integrated into Office 365 Groups, enabling users to connect and communicate with colleagues across their organisation.

When users create a new group in Yammer it will automatically be part of the Office 365 Groups environment, providing a OneNote notebook, Planner for task management, a SharePoint Online site and a document library.

All shared resources can be access directly from Yammer by all group members, with group membership queries based on Azure Active Directory attributes such as role, location and manager.

“This integration between Yammer and Office 365 Groups affects customers who have enforced Office 365 identity in their networks, and have only one Yammer network associated with their Office 365 tenant,” added Connie Woo, product marketing manager at Yammer.

“The full rollout of Office 365 Groups will take place in phases, which will connect Office 365 Groups with existing non-connected Yammer groups and remaining Office 365 tenants.

“You can also look forward to integration with Outlook Calendar as well as greater enhancements to Yammer integration with SharePoint Online and Planner.”

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