G-Cloud Encryption Service Uses Cryptomathic's Crypto Service Gateway

- 10  March  2015

Public sector departments can now access encryption data services through the UK Government's digital IT marketplace to cost-effectively comply with data protection regulatory requirements

For the first time in the UK, government departments can benefit from cryptography as a service, via the G-Cloud platform, to protect sensitive data. The service, delivered by Accumuli and Amethyst Cryptographic Services, uses Cryptomathic's Crypto Service Gateway (CSG) as the technology platform, the world's most comprehensive solution for providing cryptography as a service.

G-Cloud is an initiative by the UK government to make it easier for public sector organisations to purchase cloud-based information technology services. It aims to deliver faster business benefits, while reducing both costs and dependency on large IT vendors.

By using the new cloud-based fully managed encryption services, public sector departments will be able to securely manage sensitive data and deliver a number of business functions that support e-government services. For example, secure data at rest and in transit, support the hosting and delivery of virtualised departmental and business applications, as well as secure hosted workspaces. The service can also provide long-term encryption of archived data and can smoothly integrate with commercial off-the-shelf and departmental directory services.

"We are delighted to be offering this unique managed encryption service to UK Government customers via the G-Cloud framework," comments Jon Inns, Director of Product Management at Accumuli. "Supported by Amethyst, and with the CSG at the core, the service is highly configurable and delivers world class data security to enable cloud services for UK Government Departments. We also anticipate that many of our private sector clients will be keen to take advantage of the service."

"This is great news for all concerned", says Steve Southern, Managing Director of Amethyst Cryptographic Services. "As the UK Government continues to modernise and move services to the cloud, protecting data, including sensitive personal and citizen data, remains a critical concern. The Amethyst, Accumuli and Cryptomathic partnership is ground breaking and represents a service that enables security in a truly unique way."

Morten Landrock, Executive Vice-President EMEA Cryptomathic, concludes: "CSG is used by multinational organisations in various industry sectors and the only technology service to deliver easy-to-manage crypto to virtually any business application. We are excited to be part of this pioneering project and working alongside companies that understand the issues faced by governments to not only improve security, but also ensure effective resource expenditure."

The G-Cloud service is delivered by Accumuli as an approved Managed Encryption Service Provider, using Cryptomathic's CSG as the technology platform. Amethyst Cryptographic Services will manage the CSG operations and will deliver technical support to end users.

Cryptomathic is a market leading e-security provider. Its CSG system consists of a cluster of cryptographic servers, which sit between the HSM cloud and the applications. The servers and HSMs are managed using a dashboard allowing secure configuration, policy management and monitoring of the cluster. Cryptomathic CSG is standards based, and business platform independent; its authentication, key management, monitoring and audit logging systems allow easy integration of third-party components and achieves effortless proof of compliance to auditors.

To find out more about CSG, visit the Crypto Service Gateway product page or search for Managed Encryption Services on the G-Cloud digital marketplace.