Microsoft Surface Receives NSA's Approval To Access Secure Data

The National Security Agency (NSA) has opened its doors to Microsoft Surface by allowing its workers to use the latter to access confidential data. At the time only the Surface tablets are the Windows 10 devices that are deemed safe for classified information.

NSA has a tough cyber security. The agency via Commercial Solutions for Classified Program has routinely evaluated corporate technologies to check if it meets their guidelines, Fortune reported. The organization wants a particular brand to build their product based on the government cyber security standards and Microsoft Surface obviously made it.

Per CDA News, Windows 10 comes with a unique Virtualization Based Security (VBS) that uses the processor's virtualization extension that creates a hardware-based security boundary. Its OS is further fortified against malware and advanced threats.

"The CSfC program listing demonstrates Windows 10, as well as Surface devices (the only Windows 10 devices currently on the list), when used in a layered solution, can meet the highest security requirements for use in classified environments," wrote Rob Lefferts, Microsoft director of program management for Windows Enterprise and Security on its corporate blog.

The Windows Surface Book, Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4 are all cleared for NSA's official use. However, Surface Pro 3 is only eligible if it had Windows 8.1 or 10 installed. All of these devices are now good for use for data mining, intelligence gathering and even for mundane tasks like checking emails.

At the time, NSA has not approved any other Windows 10-powered personal computers from third party vendors like HP or Dell. Perhaps, this might happen in the future.

Meanwhile, as for Microsoft, aside from Windows 10 and Surface tablets, several of its products are already on NSA's approved list. This includes its Server 2016 software, the BitLocker encryption service and its older Windows versions.

How do you feel about Microsoft Surface tablets getting thumbs up from NSA? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.