GCC vs. GCC High: Which is right for your business?

When it comes to cloud services for U.S. government entities and contractors, the stakes are high. You need something secure, compliant, and robust enough to meet specific regulatory standards. The answer? Microsoft’s GCC (Government Community Cloud) and GCC High. But how do you know which one is right for your organization? Here, we explore.

What’s GCC and who’s it for?

GCC is Microsoft’s cloud offering designed for U.S. government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. It provides a secure cloud environment with a strong focus on compliance. Essentially, it meets the FedRAMP Moderate standard, which is a baseline set of requirements for the security of cloud services used by the federal government.

In addition to meeting FedRAMP Moderate, GCC also provides a secure and isolated environment for organizations that need to ensure their data complies with U.S. government regulations. This includes protection of data such as email communications, document storage, and collaboration tools, ensuring they meet the security needs of a variety of government scenarios.

Think of GCC as the go-to option for agencies that need a secure environment, but don’t necessarily handle sensitive data like classified military information. It’s perfect for government contractors working on less regulated projects or agencies that don’t deal with highly sensitive data.

Why choose GCC?

• FedRAMP Moderate certified - meets the federal government’s security requirements for cloud services
• Government-only Data Centers - data is stored in isolated, U.S.-based facilities, ensuring compliance with federal data sovereignty requirements
• Compliance Focused - designed for public sector organizations, with a focus on meeting the security and regulatory requirements of federal, state, and local governments

What’s GCC High and who’s it for?

GCC High takes things to the next level. It’s built for contractors and organizations that need to meet higher compliance requirements, particularly those working with the Department of Defence (DoD) or organizations that deal with sensitive defence, aerospace, or ITAR-controlled data.

GCC High goes further than just meeting FedRAMP High certification - it's designed to help organizations comply with some of the strictest security standards required by industries such as defence and aerospace. This includes ensuring data is isolated in a manner that adheres to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), DFARS (Defence Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement), and even CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification).

GCC High is certified under FedRAMP High, the government’s more stringent security certification. This means higher security controls and more restrictions on how and where data is stored, which makes it a better fit for entities handling sensitive information like classified defence data.

Why choose GCC High?

• FedRAMP High certified – provides the highest security standards required for sensitive government data
• Tailored for DoD contractors and industries dealing with ITAR-controlled data
• More stringent data residency requirements, ensuring that all data stays within the U.S. and is protected from foreign access
• Supports compliance with advanced regulations like CMMC, which is essential for DoD contractors

So, what's the real difference between GCC and GCC High?

While both GCC and GCC High serve government agencies and contractors, they cater to different levels of security and regulatory requirements.

Security standards: Moderate vs. high

• GCC meets FedRAMP Moderate standards, which are fine for many state, local, and non-sensitive federal entities. It offers robust protection, but it’s not designed for the most stringent security needs.
• GCC High meets FedRAMP High standards, which are necessary for contractors working with the DoD or handling classified materials. It offers a more stringent security model, with features like stricter authentication requirements, encryption standards, and data storage protocols.

Data residency: Where does your data live?

• GCC data is stored in U.S. government-only data centers, but compliance requirements are less restrictive compared to GCC High. These data centers are specifically dedicated to serving government clients and ensuring that data remains within U.S. borders.
• GCC High ensures that all data stays within the U.S. and is protected from access by foreign governments, making it more suited for industries with stricter data sovereignty needs. This guarantees that sensitive defence and national security-related data is kept safe from international access.

Compliance needs: Who needs what?

• If your company is working with local government agencies or general federal contractors, GCC likely has everything you need in terms of compliance and security. It supports federal, state, and local government requirements, but without the higher stakes of handling classified or export-controlled information.
• If you’re a defence contractor, working on aerospace or military projects, or dealing with sensitive government data like ITAR-regulated information, GCC High is the way to go. It provides the necessary certifications and security posture to support these high-stake environments.

When to choose GCC

Think of GCC as the middle ground. It’s the right choice for most state and local government agencies, or contractors working on non-sensitive, general government projects. If your work doesn't involve classified information, but you still need to comply with federal standards, GCC is the perfect fit.

Scenarios where GCC works:

• A city government needs a secure platform to manage internal communications and collaborate on public projects without handling highly sensitive data.
• A local contractor working on a non-sensitive government infrastructure project requires a cloud service that meets basic security standards but doesn’t need the advanced controls of GCC High.
• A federal agency focused on research and public services requiring a compliant cloud environment to meet baseline security requirements under FedRAMP Moderate.

When to go with GCC High

If you’re dealing with sensitive or classified data, or if your company supports the Department of Defence or military contractors, then GCC High is the cloud environment you need. It’s built for industries that require the highest level of security controls and certifications, including compliance with ITAR, DFARS, and CMMC.

Scenarios where GCC High is a must:

• A DoD contractor working on classified military projects needs a cloud environment that ensures their data is protected at the highest levels, in compliance with FedRAMP High, ITAR, and CMMC.
• An aerospace company that manufactures defence technologies and handles ITAR-regulated materials requires a cloud platform to securely store and process highly sensitive information, with strict access control measures.
• A defence technology firm working on military communications systems must meet CMMC and DFARS regulations, ensuring that all data is secure, encrypted, and inaccessible to foreign entities.

Migrating from GCC to GCC High: Is it worth the switch?

Here’s something important to keep in mind: switching from GCC to GCC High isn’t an automatic upgrade. It requires more than just flipping a switch - it’s a whole new environment with stricter compliance and security protocols. If you need GCC High standards, you’ll have to undergo a more in-depth setup process, and your organization must meet specific eligibility requirements for the transition. Additionally, migrating to GCC High can involve significant changes in your security architecture, data residency practices, and compliance strategies.

The bottom line: Which one should you choose?

Ultimately, it all comes down to what level of security and compliance your organization needs. If you're working with general government data and don’t need to meet high-level security standards, GCC will do the job. On the other hand, if you’re handling classified data or working with the DoD, GCC High is the clear choice.

By understanding your regulatory requirements and the type of data your organization handles, you can select the platform that best meets your needs and ensures your cloud environment is as secure as possible.

GCCH for Microsoft Teams Phone

GCCH for Microsoft Teams Phone is essential for organizations in regulated industries, particularly those needing FedRAMP High, ITAR, DFARS, and CMMC compliance. It provides the necessary security standards for voice, video, and collaboration tools, minimizing risks and helping organizations meet strict regulatory requirements for communication systems. Without it, ensuring compliance and safeguarding sensitive communications would be challenging.

How can Aura help?

When it comes to securing and streamlining communications on GCCH Teams Phone, businesses need a trusted partner to ensure a seamless integration that meets the highest standards of security and compliance. Aura is an expert in providing tailored solutions for GCC and GCC High environments. We understand the complexities and offer businesses the support they need to deploy Microsoft Teams Phone with confidence. 

Whether you’re in the defence sector, a government agency, or a contractor working on sensitive projects, our expertise ensures that your GCCH Teams Phone solution is not only compliant but also optimized for reliability and performance.