Skyhigh Networks is bringing its cloud security portfolio to the British public sector as it announces a partnership with the Government’s G-Cloud programme, designed to help public bodies access IT services.
Under the scheme government bodies will be able to use Skyhigh’s technology to secure non-UK cloud services such as Salesforce, Box or Office365.
Charlie Howe, VP of EMEA at Skyhigh, said: "We know that the UK public sector sees a great benefit in using cloud services, but needs to ensure data privacy and conformance to Government regulations."
In line with compliance requirements government bodies using the service will be left holding the encryption keys, which will ensure no sensitive data leaves the UK – a growing concern amid a tightening of European data residency laws.
To create the service Skyhigh partnered with Skyscape, and will host its security services on the cloud firm’s platform.
"We chose Skyscape due to its experience within the UK public sector, its accreditation up to OFFICIAL and its PSN compliance," Howe explained.
Earlier this year Tony Singleton, digital commercial programme director for G-Cloud, noted that the service had thrown up legal challenges for firms around compliance, responding to an open letter.
Speaking at Cloud Expo, he said: ""What we want to do is make sure the marketplace is fully compliant.
"So the buyers can be reassured that if they use the marketplace, they use it in the right way, they are fully compliant, there’s nothing to worry about on their side."
