Not CUI Compliant
4 NIST 800-171 gaps detected. Not FedRAMP authorized. Using this tool for CUI creates compliance violations under NIST 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012.
Discord
by Discord
FedRAMP Status
Not FedRAMP Authorized
Impact Level
N/A
Category
Collaboration
Overview
Discord is a consumer communication platform originally designed for gaming communities. It is not FedRAMP authorized and lacks enterprise security controls required for government CUI.
CUI Risk Assessment
Not FedRAMP authorized. Using this tool for CUI creates compliance violations under NIST 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012.
Deployment & Architecture
Deployment Model: Cloud SaaS (vendor-hosted)
Discord has no FedRAMP authorization on record. DFARS 252.204-7012(b)(2)(ii)(D) requires an external cloud service provider to meet security requirements equivalent to the FedRAMP Moderate baseline — an authorization is the straightforward way to show that, but it is not the only one. Without one, the burden is on you to establish, document, and defend equivalency, and to meet the clause's incident-reporting and media-preservation obligations. Most contractors find an authorized alternative cheaper than carrying that burden.
Migration Checklist
- 1ISSO must immediately conduct CUI exposure assessment across all Discord channels using automated scanning tools and manual review to identify potential data spillage incidents.
- 2Contracts officer must review active DoD contracts to determine if Discord usage violates DFARS 252.204-7012 adequate security requirements and notify contracting officers of remediation plans.
- 3ISSO must update System Security Plan to remove Discord from authorization boundary and document the security control gap analysis for replacement platform selection.
- 4Sysadmin must implement network-level blocking of Discord.com and related domains through firewall rules and DNS filtering to prevent continued usage during migration.
- 5ISSO must procure FedRAMP Moderate or equivalent collaboration platform and conduct security control assessment comparing new platform against NIST 800-171 requirements.
- 6Legal counsel must review Discord's data retention policies and issue data deletion requests for any channels containing potential CUI to minimize ongoing compliance exposure.
- 7Sysadmin must configure new collaboration platform with appropriate access controls, audit logging, and integration with existing identity management systems per NIST 800-171 AC-2 requirements.
- 8ISSO must create POA&M entries documenting Discord replacement timeline, interim risk mitigation measures, and completion milestones for DCMA assessment preparation.
- 9Training coordinator must develop and deliver mandatory user training on new collaboration platform emphasizing CUI identification, marking, and proper handling procedures per NIST 800-171 AT-2.
- 10ISSO must update authorization boundary diagrams, data flow documentation, and incident response procedures to reflect new collaboration platform deployment and Discord removal.
NIST 800-171 Violations
Using Discord for CUI without FedRAMP authorization may violate these NIST 800-171 controls:
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FedRAMP Compliant Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Discord FedRAMP authorized?
No. Discord is not FedRAMP authorized and is designed for consumer use, not government compliance environments.
Can I use Discord with CUI?
No. Discord does not meet NIST 800-171 or FedRAMP requirements. Defense contractors must not use Discord for CUI communications.
What is a compliant alternative to Discord?
Microsoft Teams GCC High (FedRAMP High) and GovSlack (FedRAMP Moderate) are authorized collaboration platforms for defense contractors.
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Schedule architecture reviewRelated: how much CMMC certification costs — DoD’s own priced figures