As a government contractor, your ability to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) directly impacts your contract eligibility, security posture, and compliance with federal regulations. While Microsoft 365 offers multiple cloud environments, only GCC High is designed to meet the stringent requirements of handling CUI safely and compliantly.
This article explores why GCC High is the secure choice for protecting CUI—and how GCC High migration services can get you there smoothly.
1. CUI Handling Requires Specific Hosting Conditions
Agencies and regulations—including DFARS, ITAR, and CMMC 2.0—require:
U.S. data residency
U.S. citizen-only support and administration
FedRAMP High or DoD IL4 authorization
Controlled access based on zero trust principles
Microsoft 365 Commercial and even GCC do not meet these standards. GCC High does.
2. GCC High Was Built with CUI in Mind
Unlike other environments, GCC High offers:
Segregated infrastructure exclusive to U.S. government organizations and their contractors
Role-based access controls and advanced encryption
Enhanced audit logging and incident response tools
Microsoft Defender and Purview integrations tailored for federal use
This combination supports full alignment with NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2+ requirements—essential for contractors managing CUI.
3. Staying in the Wrong Tenant Risks Noncompliance
Remaining in a commercial or GCC tenant while processing or storing CUI introduces serious risks:
Audit failure
Contract penalties or disqualification
Potential exposure of sensitive government data
Legal or regulatory consequences
Engaging experienced GCC High migration services ensures a smooth, defensible transition to the compliant environment your contracts require.
4. GCC High Makes Security and Compliance Easier to Maintain
Ongoing CUI protection doesn’t end after migration. GCC High provides:
Consistent policy enforcement across apps and services
Real-time threat detection and incident response
Built-in compliance dashboards and reporting tools
This simplifies continuous monitoring and documentation—key for audit readiness and long-term contract success.
5. Customers and Primes Trust GCC High Tenants
Operating in GCC High demonstrates:
Proactive investment in cybersecurity
Readiness to handle sensitive federal data
Low risk and high reliability as a contractor or subcontractor
This can elevate your reputation and increase competitiveness in the government contracting space.