Microsoft is assuring the world’s governments that in a world rocked by the National Security Agency surveillance controversy, its new Cloud OS Network can keep their data not only safe, but also out of the hands of foreign powers.
In December, Microsoft unveiled its global Cloud OS Network, a partnership between the company and cloud providers situated in several countries. During its debut, Microsoft described the Cloud OS Network as “a worldwide consortium of more than 25 cloud service providers delivering services built on the Microsoft Cloud Platform: Windows Server with Hyper-V, System Centre and the Windows Azure Pack”.
Cloud OS Network will span 90 markets, run out of 425 data centres and is expected to serve more than 3 million customers. More than 2.4 million servers will power the Cloud OS Network.
Specifically, Mannion faced questions about how Cloud OS Network would handle security. He explained that six of the inaugural Cloud OS Network partners are setting up national clouds, noting that “government specialists from more countries will be signing up”.
“These providers address unique government data security, privacy, and sovereignty concerns by developing solutions that can be certified to specific in-country requirements,” Mannion added. “And with local data centres, their solutions will help you keep your data within your own borders.”
Providers offering specialised government solutions, noted Mannion, include Capita IT Services and Outsourcery in the U.K.; Revera in New Zealand; SingTel in Singapore; Tieto serving Finland, Norway and Sweden; and VTC Digilink in Vietnam.
Microsoft selected these providers due, in large part, to their familiarity and experience in cloud security. “Many members of the Cloud OS Network have worked with Microsoft cloud services for a decade or more,” said Mannion. “Not only do they have the in-house skills and experience to deliver the most efficient, scalable, and secure cloud solutions to governments, but they’re also backed by Microsoft’s cloud expertise.”
The assurances echo statements by Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, who in the wake of the NSA spying scandal, said last month that non-US users of Microsoft’s cloud services will be able to keep their data closer to home. “Microsoft Corp. will allow overseas customers to have their personal data stored outside the US, a response to concerns about allegations of US government spying,” reported Bloomberg on 23 January.
Microsoft vowed to combat cyber-spying in December, after a clearer picture of the NSA’s far-reaching capabilities emerged from classified documents provided by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden. In a statement, Smith said that “government snooping potentially now constitutes an ‘advanced persistent threat’, alongside sophisticated malware and cyber-attacks”.
Are you a security pro? Try our quiz!
Originally published on eWeek.
Northvolt files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, and CEO and co-founder…
Targetting AWS, Microsoft? British competition regulator soon to announce “behavioural” remedies for cloud sector
Move to Elon Musk rival. Former senior executive at X joins Sam Altman's venture formerly…
Bitcoin price rises towards $100,000, amid investor optimism of friendlier US regulatory landscape under Donald…
Judge Kaplan praises former FTX CTO Gary Wang for his co-operation against Sam Bankman-Fried during…
Explore the future of work with the Silicon In Focus Podcast. Discover how AI is…
View Comments
One of the most common causes of data getting in the wrong hands is the loss of mobile devices that often contain a frightening amount of private information. I want to share a protection option that worked for me. Tracer tags (mystufflostandfound.com) let someone who finds your lost stuff contact you directly without exposing your private information. I use them on almost everything I take when I travel like my phone, passport and luggage after one of the tags was responsible for getting my lost laptop returned to me in Rome one time.