FedRAMP Authorized — High Impact
Microsoft 365 GCC High by Microsoft. 6 compliance features verified.
Microsoft 365 GCC High
by Microsoft
Impact Level
High
Status
Authorized
Pricing
enterprise
Authorization Date: June 20, 2018 | Sponsoring Agency: DoD
Overview
Microsoft 365 GCC High is a FedRAMP High authorized productivity suite designed for defense contractors and government organizations handling CUI and ITAR data. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint within an isolated government cloud. All data is stored in U.S. government datacenters operated by screened personnel.
Key Features
Certifications & Authorizations
Deployment Options
NIST 800-171 Compliance Coverage
How to Procure Microsoft 365 GCC High for Defense Contracts
Microsoft 365 GCC High is available through GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) under SIN 518210C (IT Professional Services) and SEWP V contracts. Government pricing includes significant discounts compared to commercial licensing, with specific GCC High SKUs (e.g., O365_GOVERNMENT_GCC_HIGH_E3). Contracting officers must verify the vendor's Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) authorization for government customers and validate FedRAMP High P-ATO documentation. The authorization boundary includes all Microsoft 365 services (Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive) hosted in Azure Government datacenters. System Security Plan (SSP) documentation must reference Microsoft's FedRAMP High authorization package and customer responsibility matrix. Procurement timeline typically requires 30-60 days for initial licensing setup and tenant provisioning, plus additional time for data migration planning. For CMMC assessment boundary inclusion, document all CUI data flows between Microsoft 365 GCC High and contractor systems, implement appropriate data loss prevention policies, and ensure audit logging meets CMMC Level 2 requirements. Contracting officers should approve tenant configuration standards, data residency requirements, and integration with existing contractor security tools.
Compliance Cross-References
Microsoft 365 GCC High directly supports DFARS 252.204-7012 CUI protection through its FedRAMP High authorization and built-in data loss prevention capabilities. For DFARS 252.239-7010 cloud computing requirements, the service provides required incident reporting, government data access procedures, and continuous monitoring capabilities. NIST 800-171 compliance is facilitated through Access Control (AC) via Azure Active Directory Premium, System and Communications Protection (SC) through transport layer encryption and network segmentation, and Audit and Accountability (AU) via unified audit logging and Microsoft Purview. CMMC Level 2 domains are addressed including Access Control (AC.L2), Incident Response (IR.L2), and System and Information Integrity (SI.L2) through native security features. DoD Cloud Computing SRG requirements are met through the IL4 authorization, government-only datacenter locations, and compliance with data sovereignty requirements. The service's built-in compliance tools help contractors demonstrate adherence to these regulatory frameworks during assessments.
Defense Contractor Use Case
Defense contractors rely on Microsoft 365 GCC High as their core productivity suite for creating, sharing, and collaborating on documents containing CUI and ITAR-controlled technical data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FedRAMP authorization level for Microsoft 365 GCC High?
Microsoft 365 GCC High is authorized at the FedRAMP High impact level, with authorization granted on 2018-06-20 sponsored by DoD. The FedRAMP High baseline includes approximately 421 security controls and is the most rigorous authorization level.
Can defense contractors use Microsoft 365 GCC High for CUI?
Yes, Microsoft 365 GCC High is authorized at the FedRAMP High baseline, which is suitable for protecting CUI. Defense contractors can use this platform for processing, storing, and transmitting CUI in compliance with NIST 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements. The High baseline provides the most comprehensive set of security controls for cloud services.
How does Microsoft 365 GCC High pricing compare to commercial?
Microsoft 365 GCC High government pricing is typically negotiated on an enterprise basis and may differ from commercial list prices. Government and defense contractor pricing often includes compliance overhead that can make it 15-30% higher than commercial equivalents. However, volume discounts, GSA Schedule pricing, and multi-year commitments can help offset these costs. Contact Microsoft directly or check GSA Advantage for current government pricing.
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This Microsoft 365 GCC High FedRAMP profile flags the gaps. The next step is a compliance architecture review where we map your data flows to FedRAMP-authorized alternatives and CMMC-aligned controls.
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