Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the use of Microsoft cloud services by public bodies is limited to at and below the OFFICIAL classified information tier; and what assessment they have made of the compatibility of police use of cloud services with Microsoft's service terms regarding high risk use.

The Government’s Cloud First Policy [Government Cloud First policy - GOV.UK] sets out the position for cloud use in the public sector, including particular considerations for information at different classification levels. It provides principles for the public sector to help navigate delivering technology solutions quickly, the associated cost and resources, and reducing risk.

In relation to police use specifically, it is for policing to determine their technology needs in line with government and policing guidance. However, when evaluating new technology to support and enhance data processing in law enforcement systems, the highest standards of data security are required from any technology provider.