GCC High: Pricing, Benefits, and Compliance – Everything You Need to Know
- Joseph Henderson
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
When it comes to securing sensitive government data, not all cloud environments are created equal. Microsoft’s GCC High is a specialized cloud offering designed for U.S. government agencies, defense contractors, and organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data. But what sets GCC High apart from Commercial, Government Community Cloud (GCC), and Department of Defense (DoD) environments?
In this blog, we’ll break down what GCC High is, how it compares to other Microsoft cloud solutions, and why its stringent compliance standards make it a crucial investment for organizations operating in highly regulated industries.
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Understanding Microsoft GCC High
Microsoft’s Government Community Cloud (GCC) is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) built on Azure Commercial infrastructure but tailored to meet specific compliance standards, ensuring alignment with government regulations.
You may have encountered the term “GCC High” (GCCH) but may not fully understand its significance. Simply put, GCC High is an advanced version of GCC. It offers enhanced security and compliance measures and is specifically designed for organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), export-controlled data (ITAR/EAR), and other highly regulated workloads.
GCC High provides a specialized cloud environment that mirrors the US Department of Defense (DoD) security framework. It is built to meet the highest compliance standards and is essential for government agencies and approved contractors handling sensitive or regulated data. It ensures security and compliance for organizations managing government-controlled information. Access is strictly limited to authorized individuals working in these highly regulated environments.
The Difference Between GCC High and GCC
While both Microsoft GCC and GCC High serve government agencies, they differ significantly in several key areas:
Hosting locations
Data centers
Compliance standards
Pricing
GCC data resides in a dedicated section of the Azure Commercial cloud, whereas GCC High and DoD data are housed in the ‘US Sovereign Cloud’ within Azure Government. It ensures that data centers are exclusively located within the US and managed by US personnel who have undergone background checks.
GCC High is designed to meet stricter security and compliance requirements, making it ideal for safeguarding export-controlled CUI at CMMC Level 2 or higher. However, this enhanced security comes at a higher cost. It reflects the additional safeguards and infrastructure needed to uphold its strict standards. Knowing these helps organizations pick the right cloud for their security and compliance needs.
Key Benefits of GCC High
GCC High operates within a dedicated, U.S.-based environment known as Microsoft’s US Sovereign Cloud.
Access to GCC High is restricted to individuals with specific high-level security clearances.
Any Microsoft personnel managing or accessing GCC High must be US citizens with the appropriate security credentials.
GCC High incorporates enhanced security protocols to handle highly sensitive data and meet strict compliance requirements.
It exceeds the security standards of DoD CC SRG Level IL4 and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).
GCC High fully complies with DoD regulations, including FedRAMP High, CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification), and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement).
It is primarily used by government agencies, defense contractors, and organizations with rigorous compliance obligations.
Both federal, state, and local governments, as well as defense contractors or businesses handling DoD-controlled unclassified information (CUI), may leverage GCC High for secure operations.
Compliance Standards Met by GCC High
GCC High adheres to strict compliance standards, including:
CMMC
FedRAMP High
DFARS 7012
ITAR
These certifications prove that the platform is equipped to manage highly sensitive unclassified data for government agencies while keeping regulated information secure. Meeting these standards is crucial for organizations that need to follow strict security and compliance regulations.
The following sections will explore how GCC High facilitates DFARS 7012 compliance and aligns with CMMC Levels, providing a robust framework for maintaining security and regulatory adherence.
CMMC Levels and GCC High
Organizations seeking CMMC 2.0 Level 2 and Level 3 compliance will find GCC High a suitable cloud solution. It aligns with NIST SP 800-171 standards, providing the security framework to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
However, simply deploying GCC High does not automatically grant CMMC 2.0 certification. Achieving compliance requires proper configuration, continuous management, and adherence to security best practices. It highlights the need for a strategic implementation plan to ensure regulatory alignment and certification success.
Achieving DFARS 7012 Compliance with GCC High
GCC High supports DFARS 7012 compliance by aligning with FedRAMP Moderate Impact Level and NIST SP 800-171 standards. It incorporates essential security measures such as cyber incident reporting and malicious software protection, ensuring that defense contractors adhere to required regulations.
GCC High provides an auditor’s attestation letter covering sub-paragraphs (c)-(g) of DFARS 7012 to verify compliance. It allows organizations to meet their cybersecurity obligations and safeguard sensitive government data confidently.
GCC High Features and Benefits
Microsoft 365 GCC High provides robust security, compliance, and operational capabilities for organizations managing sensitive data. Key features include advanced threat protection, strict data residency and sovereignty controls, and privileged access management to safeguard critical information.
The following sections will examine these features in more detail and explain how they help government agencies and contractors maintain a secure and compliant cloud environment.
Data Residency and Sovereignty
A major advantage of GCC High is its strict data residency and sovereignty controls. Key aspects include:
Data is stored exclusively in U.S.-based data centers
Complete separate from Microsoft’s commercial cloud offerings
Designed to meet strict regulatory compliance requirements
By ensuring that all data remains within U.S. borders and restricting access to U.S. citizens with the necessary security clearances, GCC High creates a highly secure environment for managing export-controlled data and other sensitive information. This level of control is crucial for organizations subject to ITAR and other compliance mandates.
Advanced Security Features
GCC High incorporates cutting-edge security solutions such as Microsoft Defender for Identity, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Applications, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365. These tools deliver comprehensive threat protection, safeguarding sensitive data from cyber risks.
Additionally, Microsoft Purview Information Protection enables organizations to identify, classify, and secure sensitive information, while a dedicated secure enclave within a GCC High tenant ensures restricted access to a fully protected workspace. Together, these features strengthen the overall security posture of organizations leveraging GCC High.
GCC High Qualifications and Prerequisites
Not all organizations require GCC High, but if you create, manage, or store certain types of sensitive data, it may be necessary. While not an exhaustive list, the following information types always require GCC High:
Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requiring US Sovereignty, such as:
NOFORN-labeled CUI (Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals)
Controlled Defense Information
NASA and Nuclear Information
FERC/NERC-regulated data (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission/North American Electric Reliability Corporation)
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) data
Federal Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) data
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data
Export-controlled CUI
If your organization is subject to DFARS 7012, you’ll need GCC at a minimum. However, if you handle export-controlled data, have US citizenship requirements, or require data sovereignty, then GCC High is essential. For this reason, GCC High is primarily used by Federal Agencies, the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and DoD contractors.
GCC High Approval Process
Before migrating to GCC High, organizations must obtain Microsoft validation. This process includes:
Submitting a validation request
Providing necessary documentation to prove eligibility
Requesting GCC High licensing once validation is approved
Additionally, your company must collaborate with an AOS-G Partner, who will handle submitting your license request for GCC High access.
GCC High Licensing and Pricing Overview
GCC High comes at a higher cost compared to other cloud solutions, typically 50% or more above the retail price of a comparable enterprise-level license. This premium pricing reflects the enhanced security and compliance measures, as well as the additional infrastructure and oversight required to meet ITAR and DFARS 7012 regulations. Additionally, Microsoft must maintain complete separation between GCC High and other government and commercial cloud environments, further contributing to its elevated cost.
GCC High is available through Microsoft 365 F3, Microsoft 365 E3, and Microsoft 365 E5) and Office 365 F3, Office 365 E1, Office 365 E3, and Office 365 E5 licenses. Similar to Microsoft 365 Enterprise, it includes enhanced security and device management features like Advanced Threat Protection and a Windows 11 license. In contrast, the Office 365 version focuses primarily on Microsoft Office applications, Exchange Online, and collaboration tools. Notably, F1 and F3 licenses do not include desktop versions of Office applications.
Given its strict compliance requirements, GCC High is considerably more expensive than standard Microsoft 365 commercial offerings. The higher costs account for DFARS 7012 and ITAR compliance, as well as the need to maintain segregation between Azure Government and commercial environments.
On average, Microsoft GCC High licenses cost about 50% more than their equivalent Enterprise licenses, while F1 and F3 licenses have a smaller price increase of around 15% compared to their commercial counterparts.
How to Acquire Licenses
Access to the Microsoft Government community is restricted to organizations that meet specific eligibility requirements, including:
US federal agencies – Any bureau, office, agency, department, or other entity within the US Government
State and local government entities – Organizations operating at the state or municipal level
Federally recognized tribal entities – Tribal governments officially recognized by the federal government
Private sector organizations handling regulated data – Commercial entities managing data subject to government regulations.
Once an organization confirms its eligibility, it must complete the eligibility validation application. After approval, the organization can work directly with Microsoft’s sales team or partner with an authorized distributor to obtain the necessary licensing.
For organizations requiring more than 500 licenses, a Licensing Solution Provider (LSP) must be engaged for bulk procurement. Those needing fewer than 500 licenses can work with AOS-G partners, such as ECF Data, to fulfill their licensing needs.
Get GCC High Approval with Ease – ECF Data, Your Trusted AOS-G Partner
If your government contracting company needs to strengthen security and compliance to meet current or future contract requirements, Red River is here to help. As a Microsoft-approved AOS-G Partner, our experts have the knowledge and experience to guide your business through the GCC High validation and transition process.
With over 14 years of experience serving commercial and federal, ECF Data combines technical expertise with a personalized approach. We understand your mission and can provide tailored technological solutions to meet your needs.
Contact ECF Data today to schedule a consultation. We’re ready to answer your questions and provide insights on GCC, GCC High, or other technology solutions. Let’s start the conversation!
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