Microsoft GCC High Overview
For organizations in the defence industrial base (DIB) handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), Microsoft GCC High offers a cloud environment purpose-built to meet U.S. government security and compliance mandates. It provides the infrastructure necessary to comply with frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171, CMMC , and DFARS 7012 while ensuring sensitive data is stored and processed within U.S. boundaries.
GCC High is more than a hosting solution—it’s a critical foundation for federal compliance and a safeguard against evolving cyber threats.
What is Microsoft GCC High?
Microsoft GCC High is a dedicated instance of Microsoft 365 designed specifically for U.S. federal agencies and defence contractors. It offers enhanced security and compliance capabilities compared to commercial or GCC environments and is required for organizations handling data governed by ITAR or EAR (Export Administration Regulations).
Who Needs Microsoft GCC High?
- U.S. Citizenship Requirement – All data processing and support must be handled by screened U.S. persons.
- U.S. Data Residency – All data is stored in data centres located within the continental U.S.
- Fed RAMP High & DoD SRG IL5 – Meets the requirements for processing Controlled Unclassified Information and other sensitive data.
- Enclave Isolation – Segregated infrastructure to ensure government data remains within compliant boundaries.
Microsoft GCC High Eligibility & Compliance
Microsoft GCC High is a specialized cloud environment designed to meet the unique security and compliance needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its contractors. Access is limited to organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), DoD contractors, and Federal Agencies. To transition to GCC High, organizations must first receive validation from Microsoft — a critical requirement we support as part of our service offerings.
Microsoft GCC High and the Department of Defense (DoD) enforce some of the most rigorous background checks for employees working in their data centers. This process includes the DoD IT-2 adjudication, which is part of the OPM Tier 3 background check.
Microsoft GCC High Employee Background Checks
| U.S. Citizenship | Verification of U.S. citizenship status. |
| Employment History Check | Verification of employment history dating back seven (7) years. |
| Education Verification | Verification of the highest degree attained. |
| Social Security Number (SSN) Search | Verification of the validity of the provided SSN. |
| Criminal History Check | Criminal record check at all levels for past seven (7) years. |
| Office of Foreign Assets Control List (OFAC) | Validation against U.S. Treasury’s list of prohibited entities. |
| Bureau of Industry and Security List (BIS) | Validation against the Department of Commerce’s export restriction list. |
| Office of Defense Trade Controls Debarred Persons List (DDTC) | Check against State Department’s export-restricted entities. |
| Fingerprinting Check | Fingerprint background check using FBI databases. |
| Department of Defense IT-2 | OPM Tier 3 adjudication for privileged DoD SRG L5 access. |
A Closer Look at Microsoft GCC High
| Controlled Technical Information (CTI) | Information subject to control under federal regulations. |
| Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) | Unclassified information that requires protection under U.S. law. |
| Covered Defense Information (CDI) | Information related to defense contracts and regulations. |
| International Traffic in Arms Regulated Information (ITAR) | Information regulated under ITAR governing the export of defense-related materials. |
| DoD Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI) | Unclassified but controlled nuclear-related information. |
| Criminal Justice Information (CJI/CJIS) | Information related to law enforcement and criminal justice data. |
| DoD Impact Level 4 or higher Information | Sensitive DoD information requiring stringent protection. |
| NERC / FERC Energy Information | Data regulated by NERC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). |
Why Microsoft GCC High for CMMC & ITAR?
Using GCC High is often a prerequisite for demonstrating full compliance with certain federal cybersecurity standards:
NIST SP 800-171: Ensures secure handling of CUI in line with DFARS 252.204-7012.
CMMC Level 2 & 3: Supports the technical controls required for advanced levels of maturity.
ITAR / EAR: Satisfies export control mandates that restrict foreign access to defence-related data.
Many Department of Defence contracts explicitly require or strongly recommend the use of GCC High for storing and transmitting sensitive data.
Microsoft GCC High Licensing & Migration
Moving to GCC High requires more than just switching tenants. The onboarding process includes eligibility validation, licensing approvals, and careful planning to avoid business disruptions.
We support the full migration lifecycle:
- Licensing Guidance – Help selecting the right GCC High licenses (e.g., M365 E3/E5, G3/G5, or Defender suites).
- Onboarding & Validation – Support through Microsoft’s validation process, including proof of CUI handling or ITAR exposure.
- Environment Planning – Architecture design for identity management, email security, device compliance, and more.
- Data Migration – Securely transitioning data from commercial environments to GCC High with minimal downtime.
- Post-Migration Support – Ongoing configuration, optimization, and compliance alignment post-deployment.
Compliance Advantages
- DFARS 7012 (c-g) Flowdown – Incident reporting, malware submission, and continuous monitoring standards.
- Full CUI Support – Meets all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls for data residency, access, and auditability.
- Identity & Access Controls – Integration with Azure AD and conditional access to support multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions.
- Device Security – Compatibility with Microsoft Intune, Defender for Endpoint, and other tools to enforce device compliance policies.
Who Needs Microsoft GCC High?
- Prime and subcontractors handling CUI.
- Organizations working on ITAR-controlled projects.
- Contractors aiming for CMMC Level 2 or Level 3 certification.
- Firms requiring FedRAMP High or DoD IL5 security baselines.
- Companies without a current contract but bidding/supporting secure primes.
Additional Services
Get Compliant with Confidence
Adopting Microsoft GCC High is a vital move toward maintaining compliance and protecting national security interests. We simplify the journey by offering strategic guidance, hands-on migration, and post-deployment support tailored to your unique business needs.
Let us help you build a secure, compliant cloud environment that’s ready for today’s contracts—and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Microsoft GCC High Compliance Checklist
Note: We offer fixed-fee costs for the Compliance Programs as well as interest-free payment plans to help your organization achieve compliance with confidence and clarity.
Secure Your Cloud Environment with CMMC-ITAR
Migrating to Microsoft GCC High is a crucial step for organizations handling sensitive government data. Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization achieve secure and compliant cloud operations.
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