When Is GCC High Overkill?

Microsoft 365 GCC High is often recommended for organizations working with government data, especially those handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). While GCC High offers advanced security features and compliance alignment, it may not always be necessary for every organization or every user.

For smaller contractors or companies with only a few users handling CUI, moving the entire business into GCC High can be expensive and complex. It may also limit access to certain third-party tools that are not available in the GCC High environment.

In these situations, some organizations consider alternative approaches that balance compliance with cost and usability. One method is setting up a CMMC enclave—a secure, isolated environment used exclusively for handling CUI. This allows companies to meet CMMC and DFARS requirements without migrating the entire workforce to GCC High.

By keeping CUI workflows inside an enclave, businesses can apply necessary security controls only where needed, while allowing other departments to continue using standard commercial Microsoft 365 services.

This setup can be especially helpful for companies with mixed commercial and federal contracts. Instead of applying high-level compliance rules across all users, the organization can focus only on those who need them.

GCC High is a powerful tool, but for many businesses, it’s more than what’s required. Using an enclave approach may offer a more targeted, manageable, and cost-effective solution.