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PolicyCortex vs Microsoft GCC High

GCC High is a compliant hosting environment. PolicyCortex is the governance layer that monitors, enforces, and remediates compliance across your cloud infrastructure — including GCC High.

Different problems, complementary solutions

Microsoft GCC High

A FedRAMP High-authorized version of Microsoft 365 and Azure built for organizations handling CUI and ITAR data. It provides the hosting environment and infrastructure boundary.

PolicyCortex

An autonomous governance platform that continuously monitors your cloud configurations against compliance frameworks, collects evidence, and remediates violations — across any cloud provider.

Feature Comparison

CapabilityPolicyCortexGCC High
Compliant hosting environment
Microsoft 365 GovCloud
Azure Government integration
Continuous compliance monitoring
Automated evidence collection
Autonomous remediation
Multi-cloud support (AWS, Azure, GCP)
FinOps & cost optimization
AI model observability
ATO workflow automation
SSP/POA&M generation
NIST 800-171 control mapping
12+ compliance frameworks
Rollback capability
Role-scoped access controls
FedRAMP-authorized infrastructure

When to use both

Most defense contractors handling CUI need both a compliant hosting environment and a governance layer. GCC High gives you the infrastructure boundary; PolicyCortex ensures your configurations within that boundary stay compliant.

PolicyCortex also extends governance to AWS GovCloud, Google Cloud, and hybrid environments — giving you a single compliance view across all your infrastructure, not just Microsoft.

Common Questions

Do I need PolicyCortex if I already use GCC High?

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Yes — they solve different problems. GCC High provides a compliant hosting environment for Microsoft workloads. PolicyCortex provides the governance, monitoring, and remediation layer that ensures your actual configurations meet compliance requirements. Many defense contractors use both.

Can PolicyCortex run inside GCC High?

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Yes. PolicyCortex supports deployment into GCC High, GovCloud, and other government cloud environments. It can also monitor GCC High workloads from outside the environment.

Is GCC High enough for CMMC certification?

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GCC High provides the infrastructure baseline, but CMMC certification requires continuous monitoring, evidence collection, and implementation of all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. GCC High doesn't do this automatically — you still need a governance layer to manage compliance.

How does pricing compare?

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GCC High is a premium Microsoft 365/Azure environment with per-user licensing. PolicyCortex is a governance platform priced separately. Since they solve different problems, most organizations budget for both. Contact us for specific pricing.

See how PolicyCortex complements GCC High

Connect your cloud accounts and see continuous compliance monitoring in action.

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