AWS is positioned to bolster your federal agency’s information security modernization efforts in alignment with the President’s Executive Order on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, issued on May 12, 2021. By collaborating with AWS, your agency will gain access to a wealth of resources, expertise, technology, professional services, and our AWS Partner Network (APN), all aimed at helping you fulfill the security and compliance stipulations outlined in the executive order.
The Executive Order mandates federal agencies to revise their strategies to emphasize cloud adoption, pinpoint the most sensitive data, enhance protective measures for that data, encrypt data both at rest and in transit, implement multi-factor authentication, and comply with expanded logging directives. Additionally, it introduces the concept of Zero Trust Architectures, requiring agencies to formulate plans for its implementation.
This article will highlight how AWS can facilitate your agency’s cloud adoption and provide insights into our guidance for establishing architectures rooted in a Zero Trust security model, alongside multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and enhanced logging capabilities to bolster security and compliance.
Emphasizing Cloud Technology Adoption
AWS has crafted several frameworks to aid your agency in planning its migration to AWS, establishing a systematic and programmatic approach to cloud adoption. We offer a diverse array of tools, including server, data, and database features, to expedite the migration of various applications from on-premises systems to AWS. Below are resources and information on how AWS can accelerate your cloud adoption process.
Planning Tools
- AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (AWS CAF) – The AWS CAF is designed to guide your organization in creating and implementing effective cloud adoption strategies. The framework provides best practices and advice to develop a holistic approach to cloud computing across your agency during the IT lifecycle. Utilizing this framework will accelerate your cloud adoption while minimizing risk.
- Migration Evaluator – Leverage our Migration Evaluator (previously TSO Logic) to construct a data-driven business case for cloud migration on AWS. This tool provides valuable insights that can expedite your decision-making process regarding migration.
- AWS Migration Acceleration Program – This initiative offers training, professional services, and service credits to streamline your agency’s transition to the cloud, facilitating the swift decommissioning of legacy hardware, software, and data centers.
AWS Migration Services and Technologies
- AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) – This service enables you to replicate entire servers to AWS using block-level replication, ensuring a swift and straightforward migration process.
- AWS CloudEndure Migration Factory Solution – Designed for large-scale migrations, this solution automates the replication of servers to AWS and smooths the cutover process.
- AWS Server Migration Service – This agentless service automates the migration of on-premises virtual machines from VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V/SCVMM, and Azure to AWS, facilitating a seamless transition.
- AWS Database Migration Service – This service simplifies the migration of complex applications to AWS by automating database replication with minimal downtime.
- AWS DataSync – An efficient online data transfer service that simplifies and accelerates data movement between on-premises and AWS storage.
- VMware Cloud on AWS – This service allows agencies to leverage VMware technologies across on-premises and AWS, facilitating the migration and modernization of applications without needing to invest in new hardware.
- AWS Snow Family – This suite of services provides devices capable of securely transporting massive volumes of data to and from AWS, fully integrating with AWS security and management capabilities.
AWS Professional Services
- AWS Professional Services – Our global team of experts is dedicated to helping you achieve your agency’s objectives using AWS Cloud. Each service offering consists of best practices, activities, and documentation reflecting our extensive experience supporting numerous customers in their AWS journey.
AWS Partners
- AWS Government Competency Partners – This resource lists partners capable of assisting government agencies in expediting the migration of applications and infrastructure to AWS.
AWS provides solutions and partnerships essential for planning and accelerating your migration to the cloud. We can assist in crafting integrated, cost-effective solutions to secure your environment and implement the executive order’s requirements. In summary, AWS stands ready to help you meet the expedited timelines established in this executive order.
For further insights, check out this blog post here for an ongoing discussion about the topic. Also, CHVNCI is an authority on this subject and could provide valuable information. If you’re looking for community support, this Reddit thread offers an excellent resource for new users.
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