As the Department of Defense (DoD) enforces stricter cybersecurity standards through the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), defense contractors must ensure their IT environments meet evolving regulatory requirements. A pivotal step in this journey is evaluating whether Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High (GCC High) aligns with your organization's compliance goals.
Why GCC High Matters
GCC High is purpose-built to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and supports adherence to critical frameworks like DFARS 7012, NIST SP 800-171, and ITAR. It provides a secure, U.S.-based environment with access limited to screened U.S. personnel—key features for organizations operating in the defense industrial base.
Is GCC High Right for You?
Not every contractor needs GCC High—but those handling CUI or targeting CMMC Level 2 compliance likely do. Considerations that influence this decision include:
Sensitivity of the data managed
Specific DoD contract requirements
Target maturity level in the CMMC model
Planning the Transition
Moving to GCC High involves more than data migration. It requires a structured approach that includes:
Data identification: Pinpoint and label all CUI in your current environment.
Technical strategy: Decide between a full migration or secure enclave setup.
Licensing alignment: Choose the Microsoft 365 plans that best support your compliance posture.
Validation and testing: Ensure controls are implemented correctly and function as expected.