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:
- Government Entities:
- US Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities.
- Departments and agencies within these entities that manage, store, or process government data.
- Government Contractors:
- Companies or organizations that have a direct or indirect contractual relationship with the US government, performing work that involves handling sensitive information.
- Contractors must demonstrate a legitimate business need to comply with government regulations, such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.
- Organizations Handling Controlled Unclassified Information:
- Entities managing information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to laws, regulations, and government-wide policies.
- These organizations need to comply with specific regulatory frameworks like the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Educational Institutions:
- In certain cases, NGOs and educational institutions that collaborate closely with government agencies and handle sensitive government data might be eligible.
- These institutions must demonstrate the necessity for enhanced security and compliance features to protect the information they manage.
To validate eligibility, organizations must undergo a rigorous verification process. This typically involves providing documentation and evidence of their status as a government entity or contractor, as well as detailing the nature of the work they perform and the data they handle.
M365 GCC vs. GCC High
Microsoft offers two secure cloud environments beyond its standard commercial product: GCC and GCC High. Both support key compliance needs like CMMC and DFARS 7012, but while GCC keeps data isolated from commercial users, it’s largely similar to the commercial product.
GCC High, however, provides extra security with data stored exclusively in U.S.-based data centers and restricted to approved personnel, making it the only choice for regulations like ITAR.
Combining GCC High with Expert Led Cybersecurity
Pairing Microsoft GCC High with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy offers significant benefits by enhancing the security and compliance posture of organizations handling sensitive government data. GCC High provides a robust, secure cloud environment compliant with strict regulatory standards.
This environment ensures that data is encrypted, access is tightly controlled, and continuous monitoring is in place to detect and respond to threats in real time. Integrating this with a broader cybersecurity strategy allows organizations to leverage advanced security features while aligning with specific regulatory requirements and best practices.
Moreover, combining GCC High with a thorough cybersecurity strategy enables organizations to implement a multi-layered defense approach, addressing potential vulnerabilities across all aspects of their IT infrastructure. This includes deploying advanced threat detection, regular security audits, employee training, and incident response plans.
By integrating GCC High’s built-in security measures with tailored cybersecurity practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information. This ultimately strengthens overall security and enhances resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.
Wrapping Up on Microsoft GCC High
Knowing what Microsoft GCC High is should help you understand whether or not you need it. If you do, you should double check that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, so you can get in touch with one of the 50 MGCCH vendors to begin your licensing journey!
If your cybersecurity and compliance strategies are hindering your business, consider working with expert cybersecurity specialists so you can focus on delivering high-quality services to all of your partners.
If you’ve already been validated for Microsoft GCC High, you can get your licenses from Impact today! But don’t stop there – consider pairing your GCCH licenses with a high-quality and comprehensive cybersecurity solution built by experts!
