GCC Vs. GCC High: Picking the right Microsoft 365 version for your needs

The selection of technological solutions becomes even more important in the world of governmental and compliance-driven enterprises. The need to strike a balance between security, cooperation, and productivity within the confines of stringent regulatory standards has led technology behemoths like Microsoft to develop specialist products.

Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud (GCC) and its more sophisticated sibling, Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High (GCC High), stand out as the go-to option among these options.

Today, we’ll examine the primary distinctions between Microsoft GCC and GCC High in order to better equip you to choose the version that will work best for your company.

What are Microsoft GCC and GCC High?

Before diving into comparison, let’s take a look at what really is Microsoft GCC and Microsoft GCC High.

1. Microsoft GCC

What is Microsoft GCC, you may be wondering – The Government Community Cloud, sometimes known as Microsoft GCC, is a cloud computing platform designed exclusively for U.S. government agencies. Government agencies may interact, communicate, and work productively while following regulatory norms because of the platform’s secure and compliant nature.

GCC provides a variety of services, including Microsoft Office software, cloud-based email, and collaboration tools, all inside a safe and sovereign environment that guarantees data stays within U.S. borders.

2. What is Microsoft GCC High?

Microsoft GCC High, sometimes known as MS GCC High, is an upgraded version of the Government Community Cloud created to support even higher standards of security and compliance. It is designed for U.S. federal agencies and organizations that deal with sensitive government data and controlled unclassified information (CUI).

Built on top of Microsoft’s Azure Government Cloud architecture and adhering to strict security and compliance standards, MS GCC High offers an additional layer of security for businesses with pressing security requirements.

Key Differences: Microsoft GCC vs. GCC High

Now that you know what is Microsoft GCC and GCC High, let’s dive into the key differences in both services.

1. Security and compliance standards

With FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) regulations compliance, Microsoft GCC provides a high level of security and compliance. While offering a platform for collaboration for daily activities, it meets the security requirements of government agencies.

On the other side, Microsoft GCC High raises the bar for security. It conforms with extra requirements including the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Because of this, MS GCC High is appropriate for businesses that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and stricter security standards.

2. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) compliance

Microsoft GCC is appropriate for the majority of government organizations and meets the data demands of the general government. It provides data residence and sovereignty within U.S. borders, guaranteeing that private data stays under the control of the nation.

Organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) should use Microsoft GCC High. It offers improved security measures and procedures to safeguard CUI data and guarantee adherence to laws governing the processing of sensitive data.

3. Availability and access

The United States federal, state, municipal, tribal, and territory governments may use Microsoft GCC. For teamwork, communication, and productivity, it offers a secure cloud environment.

Exclusively accessible to U.S. federal agencies is Microsoft GCC High. Because of its uniqueness, the platform may be customized to meet the demands of federal organizations with the strictest security and compliance standards.

4. Data residency

Microsoft GCC and GCC High place a high priority on data residency within American territory. This always worries about data sovereignty by ensuring that government information stays under the control of the nation.

Choosing the right version for your organization

Choose Microsoft GCC if:

• Your company is a U.S. government agency looking for a safe and legal cloud environment.
• Your information requirements are in line with those of the general government.
• Tools for communication, productivity, and cooperation are given priority in a secure setting.

Choose Microsoft GCC High if:

• Your company handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or is a U.S. federal agency.
• Your needs for data handling demand the highest standards of security and compliance.
• You need extra security measures and processes in addition to the GCC requirements.

Microsoft GCC and GCC High offer customized cloud solutions that put security, compliance, and data sovereignty first in the realm of government and compliance-driven companies. The decision between GCC and GCC High relies on the unique demands and security levels of your company, even though both versions are made to meet the needs of government institutions.

Making the appropriate decision requires an understanding of the distinctions between Microsoft GCC and GCC High. Microsoft’s government cloud products guarantee that your organization’s data is safe and compliant within a sovereign environment, whether you’re looking for a secure collaboration platform or require increased protection for Controlled Unclassified Information. You can confidently embrace the potential of Microsoft 365 while making sure that your data is safe, compliant, and available to authorized stakeholders by matching your decision with those needs.