Today, we announced important enhancements and certifications that raise the bar in security and privacy for the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS).  In addition, we unveiled a new dedicated government cloud as part of the Business Productivity Online Suite, optimized for the unique security and privacy requirements of US government agencies and defense contractors.

Here’s an overview of the changes announced today:

·         BPOS-Standard, the multi-tenant version of BPOS, has achieved ISO 27001 certification, completed SAS70 Type I and II audits and added controls that assist customers in complying with HIPAA and FERPA.

·         BPOS-Dedicated has added additional capabilities and certifications including compliance with FIPS 140-2, trusted internet connection (TIC) compliance, and added a new Master Administrator feature that enables large multi-departmental organizations to establish a single umbrella account and delegate administrative control to sub-groups or departments.  This is ideal for government organizations and other large organizations that want to provide a standard experience but allow for more granular control with departments.

·         We also announced a new dedicated government cloud called Business Productivity Online Suite Federal.  This service is available for purchase today within the United States and is optimized to meet the unique security and privacy needs of US government agencies and defense contractors.  The service is housed on separate, dedicated infrastructure in secured facilities and physical access is limited to a small number of individuals who, in compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), must be US citizens who undergo rigorous background checks, including fingerprinting.

More information about the announcement can be found in the Microsoft News Center.