Microsoft achieves US FedRAMP JAB P-ATO for Windows Azure

Windows Azure is the first public cloud platform, with infrastructure services and platform services, to receive a Provisional Authority to Operate from the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board.

Microsoft Corp. announced Monday 30th September, that its public cloud platform, Windows Azure, has been granted Provisional Authorities to Operate (P-ATO) from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Joint Authorization Board (JAB).

FedRAMP is a U.S. government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. The JAB is the primary governance group of the FedRAMP program, consisting of the chief information officers of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. General Services Administration.

Ok, this is a big US story and paves the way for agencies to meet the US governments cloud first initiatives using Windows Azure. But it does have relevance everywhere in that it shows the commitment Microsoft have to security and privacy.

For more information, check the full press release:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2013/sep13/09-30fedramppr.aspx