Azure Government
Updates for building solutions across Microsoft's Clouds for Government
Latest posts
Azure proves leadership in disaster readiness by becoming the first hyper-scale cloud to achieve ISO 22301 certification
Many of you have asked us about how we plan and prepare in Azure so that you can learn from our best practices as well as have the peace of mind that your applications, and data, are safe and available in Azure. Today we are pleased to announce that Microsoft Azure has achieved ISO 22301 certification. Microsoft is the first hyper-scale cloud provider to achieve this important certification that ensures your Azure applications are backed by the highest standard for business continuity and disaster preparedness. For years, we’ve heard from organizations about the importance of disaster preparedness and continuo...
Azure Government adding F-Series VMs to USGov Iowa
Today we are announcing the addition of the F-Series VMs to Azure Government’s USGov Iowa datacenter. As noted in the initial release of F-Series VMs in Azure, these VMs have: Any workload which does not need as much memory or local SSD per CPU core will benefit from the value of the F-Series VMs. Due to the price-performance value, these VMs are an ideal choice for web servers, and batch processing. At the time of this posting, F series is only available in standard. Standard storage optimized F-Series sizes We will provides updates in the blog when F-series becomes available in additional datacenters....
Microsoft Cloud in the UK now open
On September 7, 2016 Microsoft became the first global cloud provider to offer a complete cloud with data residency in the UK when we announced the general availability of Azure and Office 365 from new UK datacenter locations. The Microsoft Cloud in the UK empowers the digital transformation of businesses and public sector organizations, helping them increase productivity and meet compliance and policy requirements. Government customers in the UK are already choosing Microsoft for their digital transformation initiatives, as they can now move critical workloads to the cloud. See some of the media coverage fro...
Microsoft Azure Government continuing to add to ITAR product catalog
Microsoft Azure announced in June of 2016 that the Microsoft Azure Government (MAG) region can now support the processing and storing of ITAR-regulated workloads and controlled applications. Since the announcement, we have added over 8 services to the ITAR product catalog. ITAR, or International Traffic in Arms Regulations, controls the export and import of defense related articles and services on the United States Munitions List (USML). ITAR stipulates that all regulated data must be stored and processed in an environment where logical and physical access is limited to US Persons. Microsoft Azure Government, wh...
With 23 states (and growing) – Microsoft is the CJIS cloud leader
In December 2012 Microsoft was the first hyperscale cloud provider to contractually attest to the applicable CJIS controls with a signed CJIS management agreement and CJIS Security Addendum. It was three years before any cloud provider. Since 2012, we have worked one-by-one to sign agreements with 23 other states and our goal of reaching all 50 remains very much in sight. Read more about Microsoft’s commitment to building a Government Cloud you can trust, that means meeting or exceeding the standards required to transform mission critical government and defense workloads to the cloud. Public safety services p...
Microsoft signs CJIS Security Addendum for Oregon
I was honored to have the opportunity to present on the subject of the Liability of the Data Breach (and how to prevent it) at the Oregon CJIS User Conference in Bend last week. In the conference opening keynote, Major Tom M. Worthy, Oregon State Police, announced “The Oregon State Police (OSP) is pleased to announce to the Oregon CJIS community that OSP and Microsoft have agreed to a security control agreement that meets every requirement of the FBI’s CJIS Security policy. This agreement gives Oregon agencies additional hosting options that enhance security while meeting their business requirements pertaining t...
Join us! DC Azure Gov Meetup on container strategies in government – Sept. 29
As federal agencies strive to optimize cloud computing efficiency, they are increasingly turning to containers for a faster and more cost efficient approach to moving applications to the cloud. To discuss the latest developments and exciting projects surrounding this innovative technology in government, be sure to RSVP and join us at the next DC Microsoft Azure Government Meetup, Container Strategies in Government, Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at 1776 in Washington, DC. Along with great networking, we are excited to feature Docker, Microsoft product managers and government innovation leaders at this Meetup. Y...
Now offering: Azure Government in pricing calculator
We are happy to announce the availability of the pricing calculator for Azure Government users! Consumers will now be able to calculate and estimate the cost of using Azure Government services by selecting one of the two “US Gov” regions we have added to the calculator. The calculator’s functions will allow users to estimate their monthly bill, which will make budgeting more convenient. Once the calculator provides the estimate for the user, they will be able to export the estimate to keep for personal use and reporting. To figure out final pricing and acquiring access to the channel calculator, be sure to spe...
Use Case: Azure Backup in Azure Government
Azure Government enables customers to utilize Azure Backup capabilities to target multiple Azure Government regions, leveraging the logical and physical controls of those regions. By utilizing Azure Backup, customers can use Azure as an alternative to long-term tape-based deployments with either System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) or directly from the operating system. Using an offsite backup service that is integrated with a FedRAMP High environment, and allows for replication to multiple geographically dispersed regions provides a significant opportunity for cost savings, while enhancing Business Conti...