Microsoft’s global hyper-scale infrastructure expands in Korea with new datacenter regions and cloud services to meet growing customer demand
May 11, 2016 – SEOUL, South Korea – Microsoft Korea, today, announced plans to expand the Microsoft Cloud from new datacenter regions in Korea, including a datacenter region based in Seoul. Built on foundational principles of security, privacy & control, compliance, and transparency, the Microsoft Cloud delivers trusted cloud services to enable people and organizations to achieve more.
Microsoft is already heavily invested in Korea having operated a datacenter since 2014 for thousands of customers spanning enterprise, small business, consumer, and education. With the new datacenter regions becoming available in 2017, Azure and Office 365 customers will benefit from Microsoft’s enterprise-grade reliability and performance combined with data residency within Korea. This includes data replication in multiple locations within Korea for business continuity. These new datacenter regions will feature the same industry-leading levels of security, privacy & control, compliance, and transparency that define Microsoft’s trusted cloud globally. Microsoft also recently purchased land in the city of Busan, continuing the company’s long-term commitment to the region, with the potential to build an additional datacenter in the future.
“No other cloud provider can match the global hyper-scale infrastructure of the Microsoft Cloud as it delivers trusted, secure, enterprise ready solutions,” said Takeshi Numoto, Corporate Vice President, Cloud and Enterprise Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “We are the only major cloud vendor that supports the diverse needs of every organization with solutions ranging from core infrastructure services/IaaS to the broadest range of platforms/PaaS and tools to enable innovation and productivity.”
As one of the largest cloud operator in the world, Microsoft has invested more than $15 billion (USD) in building a resilient cloud infrastructure and cloud services that deliver high availability and security while lowering overall costs. With the introduction of new regions in Korea, Microsoft has announced 32 Azure regions around the world with 24 generally available — more than any other major cloud provider. This latest investment is further proof of Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its trusted cloud infrastructure around the world.
Al Koh, CEO of Microsoft Korea shared, “We’re seeing growing demand for Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics CRM Online in Korea and across Asia Pacific. Our commitment to expand locally within Korea will deliver even more choice for customers, addressing their data residency needs, while continuing to support innovation and economic growth in the region.”
Customers choosing Microsoft Cloud services benefit from the company’s experience in enterprise computing and hybrid cloud – offering everything from optimization of compute resources to higher-level services for advanced analytics, media services, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. In addition, the Microsoft Cloud provides best-in-class productivity and collaboration across major device platforms.
Taeyoung Kim, CEO, WEBZEN – “This news shows us the clear evidence that Microsoft actively responds to market needs. The announcement of Microsoft’s investment in datacenter regions is very meaningful in the sense that Microsoft has a strong vision for Korea, a country that is a clear leader in the global gaming industry.”
Chan Park, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), JYP Entertainment – “The ultimate goal of driving innovation through cloud services is to reduce the total cost in business operation and maximize IT efficiency to achieve business agility. I believe that the expansion of the Microsoft Cloud in Korea will create big momentum for many Korean companies to very actively adopt cloud services.”
Chun Shik Park, Professor of Information Security of Seoul Women’s University and the former Chairman, KIISC (Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology) – “The core of cloud service is security. Microsoft Azure is perceived as the trusted cloud service as it has numerous certifications from many international organizations. I hope the Microsoft announcement today provides Korea with an opportunity to increase awareness of the need for security in cloud services.”
Global Compliance with the Microsoft Cloud
The Microsoft Cloud is a global leader in compliance, with the broadest portfolio of certifications in the industry. Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics CRM Online have received ISO 27001 certification and are audited under the SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 SOC 1 and SOC 2 standards. In addition, Microsoft was the first cloud service provider to adopt the uniform international code of practice for cloud privacy and data protection, ISO/IEC 27018, which provides guidelines for protection of personally identifiable information.
Microsoft is actively engaged in collaboration, advocacy, and partnership with the cloud computing ecosystem, partnering with industry and government to align to emerging trends and standards in specific countries and regions. For example, promoting a standards-based approach to cloud compliance helps customers more cost-effectively meet compliance requirements. Microsoft will continue to make efforts to ensure its cloud services meet the requirements of the Korean cloud computing related regulation and standards such as Cloud Computing Act and Data Protection Standards for Cloud Computing Services.
Microsoft Korea – Notable Cloud Initiatives:
- On March 4, 2016, Microsoft Korea launched its new Cybersecurity Center (CSC) in Korea, furthering Microsoft’s investment in the region in the fight against cyberthreats. It will drive greater public-private partnerships to fight cybercrime, strengthen the cooperation with local businesses, governmental and academic organizations on cybersecurity, and increase Microsoft’s contribution towards securing Korean computer and Internet users.
- Supported more than 2,000 startups over the past 3 years through Microsoft BizSpark, which aims to provide free software, support, and visibility to promising startups and visionary entrepreneurs.
- Reached tens of thousands of students and hundreds of schools with the nationwide ‘#Hour of Code’ program.
- Partnership with President Park’s Innovation Center (CCEI) and co-sponsorship of the Imagine Cup 2016 which was held March 24-25, 2016
- Hosted Korean NGO Cloud Day for numerous years to connect nonprofit organizations to cutting-edge technology in partnership with the regional governments.
