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Windows Azure Trust Center Launched

In Dec 2011, we announced that Windows Azure obtained ISO 27001 certification for its core features.  Today, we are launching Windows Azure Trust Center with the goal of providing customers and…

In Dec 2011, we announced that Windows Azure obtained ISO 27001 certification for its core features.  Today, we are launching Windows Azure Trust Center with the goal of providing customers and partners with easier access to regulatory compliance information.

As a public cloud services platform, Windows Azure requires shared responsibility between customers and Microsoft.  Microsoft is responsible for the platform, and seeks to provide a cloud service that can meet the security, privacy, and compliance needs of our customers.   Customers are responsible for their environment once the service has been provisioned, including their applications, data content, virtual machines, access credentials, and compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to their particular industry and locale.  We are committed to providing detailed Security, Privacy, and Compliance information about our cloud services to help customers make their own regulatory assessments.

We are also announcing additional contractual commitments to volume licensing (Enterprise Agreement) customers:

  • A Data Processing Agreement that details our compliance with the E.U. Data Protection Directive and related security requirements for Windows Azure core features within ISO/IEC 27001:2005 scope.
  • E.U. Model Contractual Clauses that provide additional contractual guarantees around transfers of personal data for Windows Azure core features within ISO 27001 scope.

Please contact your Microsoft account manager or Microsoft Volume Licensing for details.

Windows Azure has completed another important milestone for its core features: a submission to the Cloud Security Alliance STAR registry.  STAR is a free, publically accessible registry that documents the security controls provided by various cloud computing offerings.  The Cloud Security Alliance published the Cloud Control Matrix (CCM) to support customers in the evaluation of cloud services.  In response to this publication, Microsoft has created a white paper to outline how Windows Azure security controls map to the CCM controls framework, providing customers with in-depth information on Windows Azure security policies and procedures.

Windows Azure Trust Center will be updated on a regular basis with announcements of additional compliance programs that Windows Azure is pursuing.