The Microsoft Cloud for Government is a complete cloud platform. It is only designed specifically for United States Federal, State, and Local Governments. It does provide:
Which includes FedRAMP, HIPAA, and CJIS-capable components. It also has the flexibility to run in government, public, or private clouds with an integrated open platform.
Unlike the private sector, the public sector employers and employees, have specific legal hurdles that will prohibit the use of any product or service introduced, if not authorized or compliant. So, what Microsoft did was invest heavily into data centers to meet or exceed data protection compliance. The data protection compliance falls under United States Federal and State laws, policies, mandates, and regulatory requirements.
The Microsoft 365 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings meet or exceed compliance with:
Microsoft 365 for US Government plans are monthly subscriptions and licensed to an unlimited number of users are available. The three isolated government environments, which store data in the continental United States shown below:
To have restricted access to Office 365 US Government customer content, the Microsoft administrator, and any authorized personnel must be United States citizens. Each candidate undergoes strict and rigorous background investigations, in accordance, with relevant government standards.
Below is the background screening requirements, each candidate, who will access, any of the government cloud environments.
Background Screening | GCC | GCC High and DoD |
Verification of US Citizenship | Yes | Yes |
Employment History Check | Yes | Yes |
Education Verification | Yes | Yes |
Social Security Number (SSN) Search | Yes | Yes |
Criminal History Check (7 years) | Yes | Yes |
Office of Foreign Assets Control List (OFAC) | Yes | Yes |
Bureau of industry and security List (BIS) | Yes | Yes |
Fingerprint-based check of FBI criminal databases | Yes | Yes |
CJIS Criminal Background Check | Yes | No |
DOD IT-2 based on OPM Tier 3 Investigation | No | DOD SRG L5 Tenants Only |
Microsoft Cloud for Government – Designed for the US government from the ground up. Microsoft Cloud for United States Government enables US Federal, State, Local, or Tribal entities to select from a range of Microsoft’s cloud computing services.
Microsoft Office 365 U.S. Government – Meets all security requirements in addition to regulatory and legal compliance:
Microsoft Azure Government – Used for United States government agencies and their Microsoft cloud partners. Unprecedented flexibility and breakthrough innovation with:
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Government – Allows all agencies of any size to share data and connect teams and departments, while maintaining the highest level of compliance standards:
Microsoft is so focused on Government compliance there is a list of ten must know facts you must familiarize yourself with, before choosing any Microsoft Government Cloud Assistance In Arlington, Virginia.
From the ten must know facts list you can create your own “Requirement Checklist” as you review and interview possible Microsoft Government Cloud partner candidates in Arlington, Virginia.
Like this article? Check out, How Can I Tell If I Am NIST Compliant? (Information/Insights) and DFARS Compliance (Questions/Answers) or Billions of Computer Devices Won’t Get Intel’s Spectre Fix to learn more.
Bill Wootton is the Founder and President of C3 Integrated Solutions, a full-service IT provider based in Arlington, VA that specializes in securing our nation’s Defense Industrial Base through cloud-based solutions and industry leading partners. Bill is passionate about bringing cyber-awareness, and cyber-maturity to the nation’s Defense Industrial Base, working with clients to help them achieve CMMC and NIST 800-171 compliance by providing MSP, security and Office 365 integration services.