GCC High vs. GCC: What Is It and Which One Is Right for Your Organization
As the gatekeepers of highly sensitive government data, it's crucial for federal agencies and their partners to have a secure and compliant cloud environment. That's where two Microsoft Azure Government offerings come in: GCC High and GCC.
What are these services, and how do you determine which one is the right choice for your organization? This guide will go into the nuances of GCC and GCC High, providing insights to help you make an informed decision.
What Is GCC?
Microsoft’s Government Community Cloud (GCC) is a specialized cloud environment designed to meet the unique security and compliance requirements of U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies.
It provides the benefits of Microsoft 365 services, including email, collaboration tools, and productivity applications, while ensuring that data is stored in the same cloud configuration as Microsoft Commercial. Data stored in GCC can be accessed by Microsoft personnel worldwide.
Who Uses GCC?
GCC is primarily used by U.S. government agencies and their partners. This includes federal, state, and local governments, as well as educational institutions and government-affiliated organizations that require compliance with U.S. government standards.
Security and Compliance Features
GCC is compliant with a range of government security standards, including:
FedRAMP Moderate
CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services)
IRS 1075
DISA Level 2
HIPAA
These compliance standards ensure that GCC can handle controlled unclassified information (CUI) and other sensitive government data securely.
What Is GCC High?
GCC High is designed for organizations with even more stringent security and compliance requirements than those served by GCC. It leverages Microsoft’s U.S. Sovereign Cloud, which is physically isolated from Microsoft’s commercial and GCC environments.
This isolation ensures that only U.S. citizens with specific clearances can access the data, providing an additional layer of security.
Who Uses GCC High?
GCC High is suitable for defense contractors, healthcare organizations, and other entities that deal with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) data. These organizations require compliance with higher security standards and need to protect sensitive information against sophisticated threats.
Security and Compliance Features
GCC High meets more rigorous security standards compared to GCC, such as:
FedRAMP High
DFARS
ITAR
DISA Level 4 and Level 5
These enhanced standards make this option suitable for handling highly sensitive information and ensuring compliance with strict regulatory requirements.
Key Differences Between GCC and GCC High
Understanding the key differences is crucial for making an informed decision. Here are some of the main distinctions:
Security and Compliance Features
Both options provide robust security, but GCC High offers additional layers of protection to meet more stringent compliance requirements. While GCC is suitable for handling CUI under FedRAMP Moderate controls, GCC High extends this to FedRAMP High, DFARS, and ITAR, making it indispensable for defense contractors and other highly regulated industries.
User Access and Availability
GCC allows access to data by Microsoft personnel worldwide, although they are thoroughly vetted. In contrast, GCC High restricts data access to U.S. personnel with specific security clearances, ensuring a higher level of security and control.
Cost Considerations
The enhanced security and compliance features of GCC High come at a higher cost than GCC. Organizations must weigh the costs of these additional features against their specific security needs. While GCC may be more cost-effective for agencies with moderate compliance requirements, GCC High is a necessary investment for those handling highly sensitive data.
Use Cases of GCC:
State and local government agencies
Educational institutions
Agencies requiring moderate security compliance (e.g., FedRAMP Moderate)
Use Cases of GCC High:
Defense contractors
Healthcare organizations
Agencies requiring high-level security compliance (e.g., DFARS, ITAR)
What Is the Migration and Integration Process Like?
Migrating involves several challenges and considerations:
Migration Challenges
Data Transfer: Ensuring secure and compliant data transfer to the new environment.
Downtime: Minimizing downtime during the migration process to avoid disruptions.
User Training: Providing adequate training for users to adapt to the new system.
Integration with Third-Party Solutions
Organizations often use a variety of third-party solutions and custom applications. Ensuring compatibility and seamless integration with these tools is essential for maintaining operational efficiency. Both options support integrations, but the heightened security of GCC High may require additional configuration and oversight.
Which Cloud Is Right for Your Organization?
Choosing between GCC and GCC High depends on your organization’s specific security and compliance needs. While GCC offers robust security features suitable for many government agencies, GCC High provides additional protections necessary for handling highly sensitive information and meeting stringent regulatory requirements.
Making the right decision can be complicated and there may be strategies to leverage the capabilities of both environments without unnecessary costs. After helping numerous companies navigate migration and integration, TechAxia can help you do the same.
We specialize in helping organizations navigate the complexities of the Microsoft Cloud, ensuring a smooth migration and seamless integration with your existing systems. Our expertise in CMMC compliance positions us as a trusted partner in advanced security.
Contact us for a consultation and discover how we can help you choose and implement the right solution for your organization’s needs.