New Zealand’s Government Chief Digital Office (GCDO) has granted certification to Microsoft’s New Zealand North region Data Centre, making Microsoft the first global Cloud Service Provider in New Zealand to achieve this certification. The certification, which covers Microsoft’s NZ based data centres, provides New Zealand’s government agencies with confidence that Microsoft meets robust governance processes and physical and personnel security requirements as per the New Zealand Government Protective Security Requirements (PSR).
“We’re proud to be one of the first organisations to receive a public cloud data centre certification from the GCDO. In line with New Zealand’s Cloud First policy, any government agency can now leverage our local data centre more efficiently without the need to conduct its own detailed security verification, significantly reducing the complexity and effort typically required. We are excited to be empowering more joined-up, innovative and modern citizen services to all New Zealanders,” said Emma Bessey, Public Sector Director at Microsoft New Zealand.
The certification demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing digital public infrastructure and supporting the transition of government systems to the cloud.
The Public Cloud Data Centre Certification (PCDCC) initiative provides a standardised and consistent security assessment of NZ’s onshore Public Cloud Data Centres.
The GCDO has now granted 3 Public Cloud Data Centre certifications.
This initiative aligns with the New Zealand Government’s Cloud First policy, which requires government agencies and organisations to adopt public cloud services in preference to traditional ICT systems.