The cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software from Microsoft, Dynamics CRM Online, has gained Impact Level 2 (IL2) accreditation from UK government. The IT product complies with the information security management standard ISO 27001. Government’s stated aim is to cut the cost of IT and moving half of new ICT services to the cloud by 2015. The IL2 rating for the public sector is for central government and councils,and NHS trusts that require ‘protect’ level of security for data processing, storage and transmission. With a directive to streamline their IT by moving to the ‘cloud’, public sector bodies now have the option to adopt a public cloud service, securely and resiliently. Microsoft says that its European data centres are based in Dublin and Amsterdam.
The product has data processing provisions to UK customers, incorporating the EU Model Clauses.
Derrick McCourt, General Manager, Public Sector at Microsoft UK said: “Accredited public cloud-based CRM solutions at this level are still rare amongst mainstream providers and we are delighted that Dynamics CRM Online has been accredited as IL2 compliant. This demonstrates Microsoft’s on-going commitment to the Government’s “Cloud First” policy. The accreditation also enhances the opportunity for our many SME and local partners to leverage the CRM Online platform to develop a whole range of solutions that will add real value to many organisations and departments across the UK public sector.”
