Amazon has received security clearance from the United States government, a move which will make it easier for federal agencies to use cloud computing services.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is certified to provide cloud services for branches of the US government for the next three years as part of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP.) It means once an agency has been authorised to use AWS for a project, it's then able to use the service for other projects within the department without needing to repeatedly gain permission.
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"More than 300 US government agencies already use the wide array of AWS services to be more innovative, agile, and cost-efficient," said Teresa Carlson, AWS vice-president of worldwide public sector.
"Today most government computing systems require built-to-order platforms and applications to meet government security and compliance requirements, which involve time-consuming and costly evaluations.
"With this FedRAMP compliance, agencies can now utilize a streamlined process from AWS when moving applications to the cloud to meet their unique business and mission requirements," he added.
AWS has already received an Agency Authority to Operate (ATO) at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under FedRAMP.
"HHS is pleased to be one of the first federal agencies to go through the FedRAMP process, and to issue an Agency FedRAMP ATO," said Matthew Goodrich, FedRAMP program manager.
"Our collaborative approach allowed all of HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVS) to leverage that ATO and thereby reduce duplicative efforts, inconsistencies, and cost inefficiencies associated with current security authorization processes."
