Microsoft is very excited to announce the latest step taken to reinforce Microsoft Azure's position as the most trusted cloud service provider!

Microsoft Azure has just become the only cloud service provider to be certified against ISO 27018. What does this mean? ISO 27018 is a standard which requires cloud service providers to adhere to six key conditions to ensure the protection and privacy of customer's data:

• Consent - Microsoft Azure will not use customer's data for any purpose other than what the customer has specified.
• Control - Customers retain explicit control of their information and how it is used.
• Transparency - Azure must inform customers where their information is stored and how it is handled.
• Accountability - Any information security breach will trigger a review by Microsoft Azure to determine if there was any harm to customer's information.
• Communication - In the case of a security breach, Azure will notify customers and regulators, and clear records will be provided about the event.
• Independent yearly audit - a third-party audit will determine Azure's compliance to the standard, which can be relied upon by the customer.

This is a major achievement for Microsoft Azure! It complements Azure's amazing features to provide the best possible cloud service to customers. And, certification against ISO 27018 provides further assurance about the reliability and security of Microsoft Azure for existing customers and those looking to join the cloud storage movement. To find out more about Microsoft Azure, go here!

How does this impact the education sector? Universities across New Zealand are striving to create successful academic research environments. Microsoft Azure delivers the flexibility,
speed, security, and responsiveness post-doctoral and graduate student researchers need to achieve an even higher level of productivity and innovation.  Research data requires vast, reliable, secure storage. Microsoft Azure makes storing massive amounts of data feasible and cost-effective as it provides the ability to increase storage when needed, and scale it back down when not in use. The Microsoft Azure platform takes care of infrastructure setup, network connections, data collection and storage, freeing researchers to focus on the work that really matters! And now, with Azure's certification against ISO 27018, researchers can have peace of mind that their data and information is well-looked after and secure!