Cloud Computing: Google, DISA Launch User ID Pilot
May 20, 2013
Grazed from InformationWeek. Author: Wyatt Kash.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is taking tentative steps with Google to tackle one of the primary obstacles to adopting commercial cloud computing: the need to reliably authenticate users.
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) confirmed that it is developing a proof of concept Authentication Gateway Service (AGS) that would allow for secure translation between DOD public key infrastructure (PKI) common access card authentication and Google-provided cloud services.
"This is a pilot effort to validate the ability to use DISA’s Authentication Gateway with external cloud solutions using the standards-based Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) protocol as well as explore interoperability and usability issues in commercial cloud-based email services," said David M. Mihelcic, CTO for DISA…
The pilot program makes use of Google Apps for Government as a way to test the ability of users to utilize their common access cards for authentication. But Mihelcic cautioned against speculation about broader use of Google Apps beyond the pilot for now. "DISA is not adopting Google Apps for Government," he said…
Read more from the source @ http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/google-disa-launch-user-id-pilot/240155181