Microsoft announces Azure for government use

Microsoft recently revealed that the US government will soon be able to securely store their most sensitive data on a blockchain.

During the 2017 Microsoft Government Cloud Forum, held in Washington D.C. earlier this week, the tech company launched the Azure Government Secret service. This cloud service was created specifically to provide governmental agencies with a better and safer solution to current cloud storage options. In revealing this solution, Microsoft unveiled their blockchain offering. In addition to the Azure Government Secret service, Microsoft will also allow existing Government Cloud users access to the Microsoft Azure blockchain service suite.

The existing Government Cloud service was launched in 2015, with the goal to provide private firms the possibility to safely experiment with blockchain tools and features. The new Microsoft Azure service will include services such as ChainCoin, ConsenSys, and Emercoin within a sandbox environment. While several private firms have utilized the previous services, the US government’s strict security requirements prevented them from doing so.

To address US governmental concerns, Microsoft allocated six of their data centers to be used solely for Azure Government Secret. In addition to isolating these data centers, the centers were also given provisional Level 5 authorization from the Department of Defense. Several other programs have been included in order to adhere to the government’s strict security regulations, including the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) as well as the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

The chief technical officer of Microsoft Azure, Mark Russinovich, stated that the US government requires the isolated data facilities to be operated only by US citizens who have special security clearance. According to Russinovich, Microsoft has met this requirement.

Due to the special certifications and other required features, the Azure Government Secret will provide advanced analytics in addition to advanced detection capabilities to users who have a specific security clearance. Russinovich praised this initiative by stating that the US government will finally be able to utilize blockchain technologies in a secure and efficient manner, allowing US citizens the opportunity to hold their government accountable.

In regards to the underlying technologies at work, Russinovich stated that blockchain makes fraud and waste more difficult to do. The technology creates a much more transparent system and does away with layers of bureaucracy to ensure for a simpler and more effective method of governing. This technology could prove to be important in future governance, especially considering that the US administration has come under fire lately for its wasteful systems.

In 2016, the US Government Accountability Office released a report regarding fragmentation, overlap, and duplication. This report cited 544 different instances of inefficiency which caused a waste of billions of dollars within the executive branch and Congress. To address the issue of waste, certain governmental agencies have been actively looking for a solution. Last week, the US State Department, a prominent Microsoft client, specifically referred to blockchain as a possibility to reduce waste and inefficiency.

While governmental waste is very diverse, Russinovich felt that blockchain can be instrumental in reducing waste. He used the relevant example of hurricane relief to illustrate his point.

Russinovich stated that as soon as a hurricane hits, several governmental agencies immediately start putting together disaster relief packages. Many organizations process funds for relief goods as well as methods of transporting these goods. According to Russinovich, this often creates an opportunity for fraud and waste. The transparency of blockchain could provide governmental agencies with a better way to efficiently orchestrate relief packages.

So far the Azure Government Secret service is only available to US governmental agencies. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s previous existing Microsoft Government Cloud service is currently used by 7,000 different agencies and 10 million employees worldwide.

Russinovich failed to confirm whether the US government was already using the new service. However, a need for the government use of blockchain technology has been firmly established especially in the Federal government, Department of Defence, as well as the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.