Overly Quoted on Cloud Computing Deal Between Amazon and CIA

Partner Michael R. Overly was quoted in the June 18, 2013 edition of Wired in an article titled, “Amazon’s Invasion of the CIA is a Seismic Shift in Cloud Computing.” The article discussed the multi-million-dollar deal in which Amazon will provide cloud services to the CIA, and the implications of that deal for the future of cloud computing. The deal marks a shift in how Amazon defines cloud computing, moving from the idea of computing power offered to everyone across the same public Internet platform to a “private cloud” built inside private data centers. Prior to the CIA deal, Amazon was not willing to deliver a private cloud. But, as Mr. Overly notes in the article, the truth of the matter is that many enterprises and government agencies still question the privacy and security of public cloud services. “This level of control is very important in regulated industries: financial services and health care,” he said. And, as evidenced by the significant change in philosophy, it appears that Amazon is now willing to accommodate these concerns.