What is GCC High? Is it Necessary for CMMC Compliance?

Microsoft 365 GCC High is a specialized cloud environment developed to meet the stringent security and compliance requirements of the U.S. government. It offers a secure environment for organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and seeking to comply with:

• Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
• NIST 800-171
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

Many organizations, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), struggle to afford the prohibitive costs and complex infrastructure required to create an equivalent secure environment internally. But they also find it challenging to configure, manage, and maintain a compliant cloud environment. 

Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 solution is an affordable way to achieve compliance without the financial, technical, and administrative burden.

The Benefits of GCC High Environment

Microsoft 365 GCC High is built to comply with multiple government standards, offering robust data security, compliance tools, and integration with other Microsoft services. 

The key benefits of the GCC High environment include:

• Comprehensive Compliance: GCC High was built with CMMC compliance in mind, making it the gold standard for meeting U.S. government cybersecurity requirements. It provides comprehensive protection, helping organizations to meet NIST SP 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, and other regulations.
• Scalable: The GCC High environment allows businesses to scale as their operational needs increase.
• Microsoft Expertise: Organizations using GCC High benefit from Microsoft’s technical and regulatory expertise, which help maintain security and compliance as regulations evolve.

CMMC Requirements for DIB Companies

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is moving forward. In October 2024, the final rule of CMMC 2.0 was published in the Federal Registry. The second part (48 CFR), which will make CMMC a requirement in Department of Defense contracts, is expected to be fully enforced by early 2025.

CMMC 2.0 is structured into three levels:

• Level 1: Requires basic safeguarding practices, including annual self-assessments to meet 15 requirements aligned with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21.
• Level 2: Aligns with NIST 800-171. Compliance at this level will require third-party assessments every three years. Assessments must be carried out by CMMC Third Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) accredited by the CyberAB.
• Level 3: Requires achieving Level 2 compliance, and adhering to additional controls and requirements from NIST 800-172 alongside third-party assessments conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

The phase-in period for CMMC compliance includes several stages, starting with initial self-assessments allowed for Levels 1 and 2. As CMMC becomes fully implemented, third-party assessments will become mandatory for new contracts and existing contract options. 

Does CMMC Require GCC High?

One common question for organizations interested in CMMC compliance is whether GCC High is required. While the use of GCC High is not strictly necessary to achieve CMMC compliance, it is often seen as the ideal environment for meeting these requirements, particularly for handling CUI.

However, building and maintaining a compliant environment on GCC High can cost an organization over $100,000. The infrastructure, licensing, and specialized personnel are cost prohibitive for smaller DIB contractors. Exostar makes it possible for smaller organizations to access GCC High’s benefits affordably.

The Affordable CMMC Compliance Solution

Exostar has developed a streamlined managed solution that leverages GCC High, allowing SMBs to benefit from the platform’s advanced capabilities without incurring prohibitive costs. Exostar Managed Microsoft 365 for CMMC Compliance extends Exostar’s identity and access management into the GCC High environment, creating a secure enclave for businesses to store, process, and transmit CUI.

It is specifically designed to enable companies that do not have the necessary internal IT resources to achieve compliance without sacrificing security or functionality.

Features of Exostar’s Managed GCC High Solution

• Federal Standards Compliance: Exostar’s solution meets FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent  standards, DFARS requirements, and ITAR, ensuring data is securely handled and stored within the U.S.
• Enhanced Security with Microsoft Services: The managed solution provides integration with Microsoft 365 teams/sharepoint applications.. Organizations can benefit from the environments file sharing and collaboration—all within a compliant Software as a Service application.
• Managed Setup and Reduced Complexity: Exostar’s technical team handles the setup and configuration of the GCC High tenant, including user provisioning and multi-factor authentication (MFA) controls, minimizing the need for internal tech resources. 

SMBs can start using a fully compliant environment without having to navigate the complexity of infrastructure development.

Manage and Protect Sensitive Information with Exostar

Exostar’s GCC High provides a secure and compliant environment that enhances the productivity of organizations handling sensitive information.

SMBs can take advantage of capabilities that larger contractors already enjoy.

• Secure Storage and Collaboration: Users can exchange CUI securely without bringing the data into their broader corporate infrastructure, maintaining the secure environment model that isolates sensitive data from non-secure environments.
• Access for Partners: Exostar’s Managed Access Gateway allows organizations to confidently and securely add partners to this GCC High environment ensuring MFA credentials, enabling rapid onboarding and secure collaboration between organizations across the DIB.
• Scalability for Small and Large Enterprises: Exostar Managed 365 is flexible enough to cater to both small businesses and larger enterprises. 

A Cost-Effective Path to Compliance

Achieving and maintaining compliance with U.S. government cybersecurity standards can be daunting, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Exostar provides a practical and scalable solution for organizations within the Defense Industrial Base seeking a secure, compliant, and affordable way to manage CUI.

Discover how Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 can simplify your CMMC compliance. Schedule a demo today.