Microsoft pushes Azure Authorities Cloud as homefront defender

Microsoft is pushing the AUKUS trio – Australia, the US, and the US – to replace cross-border data collaboration, and – in fact – it has simply the factor: the labeled Azure Authorities Cloud.

The decision was made by Scott Gills, program supervisor in protection and intelligence for Microsoft, and famous the necessity for the three international locations – Australia, the UK, and the US – to collaborate securely in gentle of the specter of Software program Outlined Warfare. And pay Redmond in fact.

Gills rattled off a listing of capabilities wanted by AUKUS companions, from collaborating by means of acquainted instruments, analytics, and decision-making to analysis and innovation. And the place might one discover these capabilities? Why, the Azure Authorities Cloud, in fact.

There are a few issues that leap out right here. First, as Gills himself famous, the labeled Azure Authorities Cloud was “constructed solely in assist of US businesses.” Sure, companions working with labeled information can use it, however one should not lose observe of its major cause for current. Secondly, AGC offers the identical rules and structure as Microsoft’s business cloud options.

As a reminder: a big chunk of Microsoft’s cloud in Australia fell over in August, an incident attributed – partially – to a scarcity of workers on web site.

Gills mentioned: “To assist speed up progress, AUKUS wants entry to labeled Azure Authorities Cloud.”

In some methods, he’s appropriate. AUKUS members might want to up their collaboration recreation as time goes by, and one thing just like the Azure Authorities Cloud is a chance. Nevertheless, contemplating Azure Authorities Cloud datacenters are situated solely within the US, the companions may also favor one thing that is a bit more sovereign for themselves.

AUKUS is all about protection functionality and cooperation between the three international locations and probably the most notable consequence up to now has been round nuclear submarines with contracts just lately signed off for the design and buy of long-lead objects for a brand new technology of underwater predators. The primary UK examples are anticipated to enter service in the course of the late 2030s, with Australian submarines following within the early 2040s.

Whereas lead occasions measured in years – or a long time – may be all properly and good for one thing like a nuclear submarine, it is lower than supreme within the fast-moving cybersecurity panorama. Microsoft offers the instance of its work with Ukraine in figuring out and remediating numerous cyber threats since February 2022.

Certainly, these submarines are just one – admittedly massive – a part of the AUKUS plans. As a primary stage it is in regards to the provision of a conventionally armed nuclear submarine functionality. Second is “Superior Capabilities” – assume digital warfare, data sharing, cyber safety, and, in fact, quantum and AI. ®