GCC High vs GCC: Which One Does Your Business Actually Need?

Choosing between Microsoft GCC (Government Community Cloud) and GCC High is more than a matter of cost—it’s a compliance decision. Many organizations misunderstand the difference and risk falling short of contract or legal requirements. So how do you know which cloud is right for you?

Let’s break down the key differences and explain how GCC High migration services can help when the stakes are high.

What Is GCC?

Microsoft 365 GCC is designed for:

State and local government agencies

Government contractors without ITAR/CUI obligations

Organizations subject to FedRAMP Moderate compliance

GCC tenants offer more security than Commercial but don’t meet the stricter controls required for working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

What Is GCC High?

GCC High is built for:

Department of Defense (DoD) contractors

Companies managing CUI, ITAR, or DFARS-regulated data

Organizations needing FedRAMP High and DoD IL5 compliance

GCC High features include:

U.S. data residency

U.S. citizen-only support staff

Segregated infrastructure

Enhanced identity and access controls

✅ It's a requirement—not a preference—for DoD, ITAR, and CMMC Level 2+ compliance.

Key Differences

Feature	GCC	GCC High
Data Residency	U.S.-based	U.S.-based (DoD-specific environment)
Support Personnel	U.S. Citizens	U.S. Citizens (screened for DoD clearance)
Compliance	FedRAMP Moderate, CJIS	FedRAMP High, DFARS, ITAR, CMMC
Third-Party App Support	Broader	More limited due to isolation
Eligibility Requirements	Looser	Requires vetting and AOS-G partner

When Do You Need GCC High?

Move to GCC High if you:

Handle CUI or ITAR data

Are bidding on DoD contracts

Need to meet DFARS 7012, NIST 800-171, or CMMC Level 2 or higher

Require secure U.S.-only data handling and staff access

✅ Staying in GCC when GCC High is required can disqualify you from contracts—or lead to compliance failures.

How Migration Services Help

Moving from Commercial or GCC to GCC High is complex. GCC High migration services include:

License vetting and tenant provisioning

Identity and mail migration

SharePoint/Teams reconfiguration

Security control setup

Post-migration support and compliance alignment

Don’t risk guessing between GCC and GCC High. The right choice depends on what kind of data you manage—and what contracts you’re targeting. If CUI, ITAR, or DoD involvement is part of your future, GCC High is your only safe option. With expert GCC High migration services, your move will be secure, efficient, and audit-ready.