Unlocking the potential of public sector clouds lies in categorizing data effectively

The UK is embracing the cloud era, with top service providers like Amazon and Microsoft adopting the country's cloud security principles. The cloud is becoming the new norm, with cloud revenues doubling year on year.

Compliance with the UK's cloud security framework is crucial for organisations operating in this space. This can be evidenced through procedures designed to assess and certify achievement of cloud security standards, such as ISO 27001. In fact, demonstrating effective management of cloud security is central to cloud adoption by the public sector.

ISO 27001 certification is generally expected for approved providers of UK G-Cloud services. This international standard is also referenced in the UK's cloud security guidance as a means of assessing the implementation of its cloud security principles.

Data classification is a key element for effective cloud security management. By categorising data by sensitivity and business impact, organisations can assess risk more accurately. The UK has adopted a three-tier data classification model (Official, Secret, and Top Secret). 'Official' data, which covers up to 90% of public sector business, requires security commensurate with that of a large UK private company.

The private sector has led the migration of IT workloads to the cloud, while the public sector has been slower to adopt. However, the UK government has published a full suite of documentation on effective cloud security management, aiming to alleviate concerns about security risk management.

The UK government's cloud security principles emphasise the importance of data classification in the development of a cloud security framework. These principles, along with a comprehensive set of guidance and implementation, have been published to help organisations navigate the cloud securely.

In addition to the UK's efforts, the German government has made significant strides in developing an effective cloud security management approach. They emphasise digital sovereignty through the use of normed, open standards, open interfaces, and open-source software in public administration.

Organisations can also request third-party certification assurance for ISO 27001 compliance to further bolster their cloud security measures. Public cloud economies of scale, demand diversification, and multi-tenancy are estimated to drive down the costs of an equivalent private cloud by up to 90%.

As the cloud becomes increasingly prevalent, it's clear that effective cloud security management is not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for both the private and public sectors. The UK's commitment to cloud security, as demonstrated by its comprehensive guidance and principles, sets a strong example for other nations to follow.

Unlocking the potential of public sector clouds lies in categorizing data effectively