Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a new cloud computing platform catered toward the Intelligence Community’s (IC) need for transferring data designated at the “Secret” level.
The new AWS Secret Region, announced Monday, is available to IC partners through Amazon’s [AMZN] current Commercial Cloud Services (C2S) contract and allows for high-priority security of classified information.
“The AWS Secret Region is a key component of the Intel Community’s multi-fabric cloud strategy. It will have the same material impact on the IC at the Secret level that C2S has had at Top Secret,” said John Edwards, the CIA’s chief information officer, in a statement.
The CIA awarded AWS a 10-year, $600 million contract in 2013 to provide the 17 intelligence service agencies with cloud computing capabilities.
Under that deal, AWS delivered a cloud service for “Top Secret” information but the new platform is designed to offer for more collaboration on data deemed one level below, as “Secret.”
Amazon is now the first cloud service provider to offer platforms that meet all data classifications, from unclassified to Top Secret.
The new Secret Region platform will be assessed for security compliance under a Director of National Intelligence’s directive and must be accredited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
“The U.S. Intelligence Community can now execute their missions with a common set of tools, a constant flow of the latest technology and the flexibility to rapidly scale with the mission,” Teresa Carlson, vice president of Amazon Web Services’ worldwide public sector, said in a statement. “The AWS Top Secret Region was launched three years ago as the first air-gapped commercial cloud and customers across the U.S. Intelligence Community have made it a resounding success. Ultimately, this capability allows more agency collaboration, helps get critical information to decision makers faster, and enables an increase in our nation’s security.”
Amazon also plans on making Secret Region available to non-IC government partners under future contract vehicles.