Amazon Web Services (AWS) announces that it has successfully renewed the Portuguese GNS (Gabinete Nacional de Segurança, National Security Cabinet) certification in the AWS Regions and edge locations in the European Union. This accreditation confirms that AWS cloud infrastructure, security controls, and operational processes adhere to the stringent requirements set forth by the Portuguese government for handling classified information at the National Reservado level (equivalent to the NATO Restricted level).

The GNS certification is based on the NIST SP800-53 Rev. 5 and CSA CCM v4 frameworks. It demonstrates the AWS commitment to providing the most secure cloud services to public-sector customers, particularly those with the most demanding security and compliance needs. By achieving this certification, AWS has demonstrated its ability to safeguard classified data up to the Reservado (Restricted) level, in accordance with the Portuguese government’s rigorous security standards.

AWS was evaluated by an authorized and independent third-party auditor, Adyta Lda, and by the Portuguese GNS itself. With the GNS certification, AWS customers in Portugal, including public sector organizations and defense contractors, can now use the full extent of AWS cloud services to handle national restricted information. This enables these customers to take advantage of AWS scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, while safeguarding data in alignment with GNS standards.

We’re happy to announce the addition of 40 services to the scope of our GNS certification, for a new total of 66 services in scope. To view the complete list of services included in the scope, see the AWS Services in Scope by Compliance Program – GNS National Restricted Certification page.

The Certificate of Compliance illustrating the compliance status of AWS is available on the GNS Certifications page and through AWS Artifact.

For more information about GNS, see the AWS Compliance page GNS National Restricted Certification.

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