CUI Compliant
0 NIST 800-171 gaps detected. FedRAMP authorized at High impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
AWS GovCloud
by Amazon Web Services
FedRAMP Status
FedRAMP Authorized
Impact Level
High
Category
Cloud Storage
Authorized: December 15, 2016 | Sponsor: Department of Defense
Overview
AWS GovCloud is an isolated AWS region designed for government workloads requiring FedRAMP High authorization. It supports CUI, ITAR, and export-controlled data with US-person-only access.
CUI Risk Assessment
FedRAMP authorized at High impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
Using AWS GovCloud in a Defense Contractor Environment
AWS GovCloud excels in defense contractor environments handling diverse CUI categories including technical data packages, export-controlled engineering drawings, financial performance reports, and contractor personnel PII. Within CMMC Level 2 authorization boundaries, GovCloud serves as the primary cloud infrastructure layer, with contractors typically establishing network enclaves for different contract vehicles. The platform's US-person-only staffing and FedRAMP High authorization directly satisfy AC-2 and PE-2 requirements without additional compensating controls. However, contractors must implement proper data classification workflows and configure CloudTrail for comprehensive audit logging. DCMA/DIBCAC assessors consistently evaluate GovCloud deployments by reviewing IAM policies, encryption configurations, and data residency controls. Assessors specifically examine how contractors segment CUI workloads from non-CUI activities within the same GovCloud account structure. The platform's built-in compliance features significantly reduce assessment preparation time, though contractors must demonstrate proper configuration management and change control processes for their GovCloud resources.
Deployment & Architecture
Deployment Model: Government Cloud (FedRAMP boundary)
AWS GovCloud operates within a FedRAMP-authorized boundary. CUI can be processed within the authorization scope, but contractors must verify their specific use case falls within the system's security boundary as documented in the SSP.
Implementation Guide
For compliant AWS GovCloud implementations, contractors should focus on proper configuration rather than migration. Establish dedicated VPCs for CUI workloads with appropriate subnet isolation within 2-3 weeks. Configure CloudFormation templates for consistent security group deployment and implement AWS Config rules for continuous compliance monitoring. Update SSPs to reflect GovCloud-specific security controls inheritance and modify authorization boundary diagrams to show logical separation between CUI and non-CUI environments. User training should focus on IAM best practices, S3 bucket policies for CUI data, and proper tagging strategies for compliance tracking. For organizations requiring migration away from GovCloud (rare given its compliance status), consider Microsoft Azure Government or Oracle Cloud Government as FedRAMP High alternatives. Data export requires careful attention to encryption in transit and CUI marking preservation. Migration typically requires 8-12 weeks including compliance documentation updates and DCMA coordination for authorization boundary modifications.
Configuration Checklist
- 1ISSO: Establish dedicated CUI VPCs with private subnets and NAT gateways within 1 week
- 2Sysadmin: Configure AWS Config rules for NIST 800-171 compliance monitoring across all regions within 2 weeks
- 3ISSO: Implement CloudTrail logging with S3 encryption and log file validation for audit requirements within 1 week
- 4Sysadmin: Deploy IAM policies enforcing MFA and role-based access for CUI resources within 2 weeks
- 5Contracts: Update contract security requirements matrix to reflect GovCloud infrastructure inheritance within 1 week
- 6ISSO: Configure GuardDuty and Security Hub for continuous security monitoring within 2 weeks
- 7Sysadmin: Establish automated backup policies for CUI data with cross-region replication within 3 weeks
- 8ISSO: Complete authorization boundary documentation updates and submit to DCMA within 4 weeks
Compliance Cross-References
AWS GovCloud directly addresses NIST 800-171 control families including Access Control (AC), System and Communications Protection (SC), and Physical and Environmental Protection (PE) through its FedRAMP High authorization. The platform triggers DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for CUI protection and supports compliance with DFARS 252.239-7010 for cloud computing services. Within CMMC assessment domains, GovCloud primarily impacts Access Control (AC), System Security (SS), and Data Protection (DP) practices. The platform's built-in encryption, network isolation, and audit logging capabilities directly support CMMC Level 2 requirements without additional contractor implementation. Assessors evaluate GovCloud configurations against specific CMMC practices including AC.L2-3.1.1 for authorized access enforcement and SC.L2-3.13.1 for boundary protection implementation.
Other FedRAMP Authorized Cloud Storage Tools
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS GovCloud FedRAMP authorized?
Yes. AWS GovCloud (US) holds FedRAMP High authorization and is operated by US persons on US soil.
Can I use AWS GovCloud with CUI?
Yes. AWS GovCloud is approved for CUI, ITAR, and export-controlled data. It meets DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements.
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