GCHQ, MI6, and MI5 will reportedly benefit from AWS’ data analytics and AI features in landmark cloud deal
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed what is likely to be a lucrative data deal with the UK’s top intelligence services to store and analyse information for the purposes of espionage.
GCHQ, MI5, and MI6 will store information using AWS’ cloud services, according to the Financial Times, which reports that the deal has been made so the UK spy agencies can harness the data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools the AWS platform provides.
- AWS makes its Panorama Appliance generally available
- GCHQ’s mass surveillance regime ruled unlawful
- MI5 chief warns public of growing cyber espionage threat
AWS will also reportedly equip the agencies with tools that enable easier data sharing between overseas field locations and rapid translation of audio recordings.
Other government departments such as the Ministry of Defence will also use the cloud service offering during joint operations, according to the FT‘s report.
GCHQ was leading the calls for a cloud security platform which could be used across the intelligence services, the report added. The deal was signed this year and all data will be stored in the UK, with Amazon’s main e-commerce company having no access or oversight of the data at all.