GCC High might sound like the name of a TV show about high school students, but for government contractors, it’s something far more serious. GCC High, or Microsoft Government Community Cloud High, is a specialized Microsoft 365 environment designed specifically to meet the strict cybersecurity and compliance requirements of U.S. federal agencies, defense contractors, and others handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Access to GCC High isn’t open to just anyone either. Becoming an approved AOS-G (Agreement for Online Services for Government) authorized reseller for Microsoft’s GCC High environment is a highly exclusive designation. It means that the reseller has met stringent government and Microsoft requirements to sell and manage solutions built for sensitive data environments, ensuring compliance with frameworks like FedRAMP High, ITAR, and CMMC.
When it comes to government contractors handling CUI, what’s at stake for them is nothing less than contract eligibility, national security, and their organization as a whole. That’s because failing to properly protect sensitive information can lead to severe consequences, including losing contracts, facing legal action, and putting national interests at risk.
In this blog, we’ll cover why GCC High requires AOS-G partners, the current AOS-G reseller landscape, the benefits of working with a local authorized reseller, and how Charles IT specifically supports organizations with GCC High adoption.
One of the first things to understand about GCC High is that it’s not something any provider can simply sell. As previously mentioned, only approved AOS-G (Agreement for Online Services for Government) partners are authorized to offer and support GCC High environments.
Microsoft even enforces a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only organizations with the necessary capabilities, security measures, and certifications are approved. This process requires companies to meet strict legal, security, and operational standards. This often limits eligibility to U.S.-based organizations that can demonstrate full compliance with government data sovereignty and security regulations.
AOS-G resellers must also ensure they adhere to key regulatory frameworks, including:
Beyond meeting these regulatory standards, AOS-G partners must maintain infrastructure, support practices, and data-handling protocols that align with Microsoft’s stringent GCC High requirements. This includes ensuring that all hosting, service operations, and customer support functions are conducted within the United States and in accordance with U.S. government security standards.
This strict control over who can sell and manage GCC High ensures that government contractors working with sensitive information have a secure, compliant, and trusted environment to meet their needs.
Microsoft keeps the pool of AOS-G authorized resellers intentionally small to ensure the highest standards of service and compliance for government and defense clients. What’s more is that today, there are only about 43 authorized GCC High resellers across the entire United States.
This limited group is uniquely qualified to deliver Microsoft’s GCC High solutions, having demonstrated the ability to meet the security and regulatory requirements needed to support federal agencies and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). These resellers must also maintain capabilities to properly handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and comply with regulations like International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and FedRAMP High.
Among this group, Charles IT stands out as the only GCC High reseller headquartered in Connecticut. We combine national-level compliance expertise with the personalized, hands-on service you expect from a local partner. From meeting FedRAMP High, ITAR, and CMMC requirements to supporting complex, high-security workloads, Charles IT delivers the infrastructure, experience, and attention to detail needed to help government contractors succeed, all while being a trusted, local team.
While meeting the technical and regulatory requirements to become an AOS-G authorized reseller is important, there are significant additional advantages to partnering with a local provider like Charles IT, especially for organizations handling sensitive government contracts.
Choosing a local authorized reseller offers key benefits such as:
For Connecticut-based defense contractors, these benefits are more than just convenient, they’re essential. Imagine a defense contractor working on ITAR-restricted projects. If an urgent GCC High support need arises, having Charles IT right nearby allows for faster troubleshooting, on-site assistance, and a higher level of communication and accountability. This ensures compliance requirements are upheld without delay and minimizes the risks associated with downtime or data mismanagement.
Adopting GCC High can feel complex, but with Charles IT as your partner, it becomes a smooth, strategic process. We provide end-to-end support to help government contractors and defense organizations transition confidently into a compliant, secure GCC High environment.
At Charles IT, we combine the technical expertise of a national provider with the hands-on service of a trusted local partner. Whether you're preparing for CMMC assessments or strengthening your cybersecurity posture, we make sure your move to GCC High is a smart investment for your organization.
As government cybersecurity requirements continue to evolve, adopting Microsoft GCC High is becoming a business necessity for contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and working with federal agencies. But navigating the licensing, migration, and compliance complexities on your own can be overwhelming.
That’s where Charles IT comes in. As Connecticut’s only locally based AOS-G authorized reseller, we offer trusted expertise, personalized support, and proven experience helping organizations transition to GCC High securely and efficiently.
Ready to strengthen your compliance and protect your future contracts? Schedule a consultation with our team today!