Microsoft announces two new Azure regions in Australia

Microsoft today announced that they will deliver Azure from two new regions in Canberra, Australia. Microsoft is partnering with Canberra Data Centres (CDC) for these regions and they are the first cloud provider in Australia to deliver cloud services to handle Unclassified and Protected government data. These new Canberra data center regions will focus on the needs of government customers and their suppliers.

CDC are the preeminent specialist datacenter provider for secure government data in Australia with four modern Canberra-based facilities that hold the accreditations and security controls to handle even Top Secret classified data. Government customers currently using the secure Intra-Government Communications Network (ICON) will be able to directly connect to Azure in Canberra.

They will be generally available in the first half of 2018. With this announcement, Microsoft has announced 42 Azure regions globally which is more than any other major cloud provider including Amazon and Google. Microsoft already offers cloud services from Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

“Azure expands globally to create greater opportunity for the digital transformation of our customers,” said Tom Keane, Head of Global Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft. “Australia is a critical cloud market for Microsoft. We’re delighted to be partnering with a locally owned provider with deep roots across government to further extend the reach of our cloud, and to provide the full innovation of Azure to Australian and New Zealand Government customers and partners”.