Not all data is created equal. For example, your favorite brand of shampoo and your social security number have different security needs. Or at least they should. Similarly, certain businesses and organizations handle more sensitive consumer or even governmental information that requires higher levels of security. This is where programs and services like Microsoft GCC High come into play.
Microsoft GCC High, or Microsoft Government Community Cloud High, is a highly secure cloud solution that allows necessary organizations to more easily meet compliance and cybersecurity standards within their operations.
Learn more about what Microsoft GCC High is, if you need it, and how you can check if you’re eligible below!
If you already know you need a Microsoft GCC license get started with Impact today and consider pairing your GCC license with a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that elevates your security above and beyond compliance!
Explaining Microsoft GCC High
Microsoft GCC High is a specialized cloud environment designed to meet the compliance requirements of the US government, particularly for organizations that handle controlled unclassified information (CUI) and comply with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). It is part of Microsoft's broader Government Community Cloud offerings but provides a higher degree of security.
The secure GCC High environment provides security features that comply with federal regulations that make it suitable for government agencies, defense contractors, and other entities that need to meet strict regulations like the Department of Defense Impact level 4 and 5 requirements.
Microsoft also ensures that GCC High data centers are operated by US citizens and are physically located within the continental United States, making it an ideal system for handling sensitive government data.
In terms of services, GCC High offers many of the same productivity and collaboration tools found in Microsoft's commercial cloud, including Office 365, Teams, and Azure, but these services are configured to meet higher security and compliance standards. This includes data encryption, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to security threats in real time.
Overall, Microsoft GCC High is designed to provide a secure, compliant, and efficient cloud environment for organizations that need to adhere to the highest levels of government regulations, ensuring that they can leverage modern cloud technologies while maintaining the necessary safeguards for sensitive information.
Who Needs Microsoft GCC High?
Microsoft GCC High is essential for U.S. government agencies and organizations that handle CUI and must comply with the some of the strictest regulatory frameworks. This includes federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as defense contractors.
These entities often deal with sensitive information that requires higher security and compliance measures than those provided by commercial cloud services.
Defense contractors, in particular, are significant users of GCC High. These organizations must comply with the Department of Defense regulations, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and DoD Impact Level 4 and 5 requirements mentioned earlier.
GCC High provides the necessary infrastructure to ensure that these contractors can securely manage and store sensitive defense information, conduct secure communications, and collaborate on projects without risking data breaches or non-compliance.
Additionally, organizations that handle export-controlled data under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and those needing to meet the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program High baseline also requires GCC High.
The platform ensures that all data is processed and stored within the United States by screened US personnel, achieving data sovereignty and security mandated by these regulations. This makes GCC High indispensable for any organization where data security and regulatory compliance are paramount.
How Can You Get GCCH Licenses?
Organizations must meet specific criteria to qualify for MGCC High licenses, ensuring that only eligible entities can access this highly secure cloud environment.
Here are the primary eligibility requirements:
