Azure has become the first cloud computing platform that can be used by police forces across the UK. This comes following a review of Azure by the UK’s National Police Information Risk Management Team, which ensures the storing of police information and access to it meet strict standards.

The review is required by law enforcement agencies in this country before they can move data to the cloud, as it ensures that information is held in a Police Approved Secure Facility.

Microsoft welcomed the review, adding that it would be good to see police forces joining other sectors in enjoying the benefits of the cloud.

“Azure is proud to be recognised in this way,” said Stuart Aston, national security officer at Microsoft. “It is a positive step, as we help all areas of the public and private sectors embrace cloud computing so they can cut costs and help people work more securely, efficiently and collaboratively. Microsoft is looking forward to helping law enforcement agencies on their digital transformation journey.”

Meanwhile, Microsoft has revealed that Azure IoT Hub will be launched in its UK data centres. The service allows companies using the service to reliably and securely send data, such as files and messages, from the cloud to millions of internet-connected devices, and vice versa.

This can help firms manage devices that have no human operator; are in remote locations, where sending a member of staff is expensive; have an intermittent or slow internet connection; or have limited power or processing resources.

Users can give each device its own security key to enable it connect to Azure IoT Hub, making the service very safe to use; while choosing where to route the messages you send is quick and simple.

Microsoft opened its UK data centres in September last year. Since then, thousands of customers, including the Ministry of Defence, the Met Police, parts of the NHS and BP, have signed up to take advantage of the sites.

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