Cloud computing service steps up security
Cloud computing service steps up security
Amazon's cloud computing service is stepping up its security and access features in a bid to accommodate some of the specific security requirements of government customers.
The Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud is a service aimed particularly at government departments. One of its major selling points is the fact that it conforms with the International Traffic in Arms Regulation, which regulates the way in which government agencies manage and store their sensitive data.
By ensuring that only US citizens are able to access the data held on the GovCloud, both physically and logically, the service conforms with the ITAR's main requirements. This makes it a viable option for more sensitive areas of the government, such as defence, which had previously been uncertain about switching due to the security risks.
It is cost reduction that has driven the government to consider cloud computing, due to the fact that the service can offer substantial reductions in IT costs, while streamlining operations. These benefits are also available to companies which are willing to explore the cloud, while a leased line can help to increase their security and improve reliability once the cloud service is in place.
NASA's jet Propulsion Lab and the US Recovery and Accountability Transparency Board are two of the federal agencies already using AWS. The lab's chief technology officer Tomas Soderstrom told Datacenter Dynamics: "We've leveraged AWS in our missions for a few years now and were the first to use cloud computing for daily operations.
"By working with cloud computing providers such as AWS, we gain the flexibility to move quickly, acquire IT resources on-demand and save money by paying only for the resources we use."
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.
