IBM Cloud Receives DISA Impact Level 5 Authorization

The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has authorized IBM Cloud services at the highest security levels – known as Impact Level 5 – for Controlled Unclassified Information as defined by the Department of Defense (DoD). This pavesthe way for DoD agencies seeking to take advantage of the innovations cloud can offer and manage sensitive data.

DISA has granted the company a Conditional Authority to Operate IBM Cloud services hosted at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) data center in West Virginia, which is owned by the Department of the Navy and leased by IBM.

IBM noted that it is the first cloud provider with a direct connection to the DoD's internal network known as the Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). The authorization granted by DISA will enable other DoD agencies the opportunity ultimately to streamline their authorizations by leveraging the thorough process DISA followed.

"Department of Defense agencies have the opportunity to embrace commercial cloud best practices and technology with the security of a government-owned facility," said Sam Gordy, General Manager for IBM Federal. "It will also provide DoD agencies with an ideal option to launch workloads in a hybrid cloud that can be easily integrated with their on premise systems. DoD is serving as a strong model to other cabinet level agencies in the federal government."

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