CIA signs major cloud deal with Amazon

CIA signs major cloud deal with Amazon

Amazon could be set to develop a cloud computing system for the CIA, new reports suggest.

The high-profile contract could be worth as much as $600 million over the next decade. According to an FCW report, the CIA has turned to Amazon to create a cloud platform which will enable it to "keep up with emerging technologies like big data in a cost-effective manner not possible under the CIA's previous cloud efforts”.

The reports remain unconfirmed as both Amazon and the CIA have remained tight-lipped over the proposals. A CIA spokesperson would only say, "As a general rule, the CIA does not publicly disclose details of our contracts, the identities of our contractors, the contract values, or the scope of work.”

However, Jeanne Tisinger, the CIA’s Chief Information Office, did recently state that the US government agency was looking to leverage innovative ideas from the private sector. Tisinger was addressing the Northern Virginia Technology Council at the time. Audience members are said to have told FCW that Tisinger said the CIA was working with companies such as Amazon.

Further, at a February conference, CIA Chief Technology Officer Gus Hunt spoke about software procurement and Reuters quoted him as saying, “Think Amazon – that model really works.” He was specifically talking about models whereby software can be bought on a metered basis.

FCW reports that the CIA’s existing cloud computing infrastructure is built on "smaller, highly specific private clouds”. It will no doubt be looking to Amazon to create something at least as, if not more, secure but with more powerful capabilities.

Dave Powner, director of IT management issues at the Government Accountability Office, didn’t comment directly on an Amazon-CIA deal but told FCW, “In times of reducing budget situations you would expect to see agencies that haven't considered cloud solutions extensively in the past would be looking more and more of doing something along those lines.”

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.