What's AWS GovCloud & Why Would You Use It?

In today's fast-paced digital era, government agencies and organizations handling sensitive data require robust, secure, and compliant cloud solutions.

Enter AWS GovCloud (US). Since its launch in 2011, GovCloud has operated as a specialized, isolated AWS region designed specifically to address the unique security and compliance needs of the public sector.

In this blog post, we'll take a stroll through the garden of AWS GovCloud, exploring its advantages, things to watch out for, and how it stacks up against its Microsoft counterpart, Azure Government.

• What is AWS GovCloud?

• Advantages of Using AWS GovCloud

• Important Considerations for GovCloud Users

• Azure Government v GovCloud

What is AWS GovCloud?

AWS GovCloud (US) is a unique, isolated AWS region designed to host sensitive data and regulated workloads for United States government agencies, as well as organizations that must comply with stringent security and compliance requirements.

Tailored specifically for the public sector, AWS GovCloud provides a secure environment to run sensitive workloads, enabling government agencies and contractors to manage classified data and meet strict regulatory requirements.

The AWS GovCloud region offers the same wide range of AWS services as other regions, but with additional safeguards in place to protect sensitive information. It adheres to strict compliance standards, such as FedRAMP High, ITAR, DoD SRG, CJIS, and HIPAA. Additionally, GovCloud ensures that all personnel managing the region are U.S. citizens on U.S. soil, adding another often necessary level of security.

GovCloud is designed to empower highly regulated organizations to leverage the power of the cloud without compromising on security & compliance. It's earned a reputation as a well-trusted and flexible solution for running mission-critical workloads, which has supported the digital transformation of public sector organizations.

Advantages of Choosing GovCloud

AWS GovCloud offers several advantages over a standard AWS region, making it an ideal choice for government agencies and organizations with stringent security and compliance needs.

The key benefits of GovCloud include:

1. Enhanced Security: GovCloud is designed to handle sensitive data and regulated workloads, offering an isolated AWS region with additional security measures. It ensures that all personnel managing the region are U.S. citizens located within the U.S., providing an extra layer of protection.

2. Compliance: AWS GovCloud adheres to a wide range of compliance standards, such as FedRAMP High, ITAR, DoD SRG, CJIS, and HIPAA. This makes it suitable for organizations that must meet strict regulatory requirements for data management and security.

3. Data Sovereignty: GovCloud ensures that data remains within the U.S., addressing data sovereignty worries held by government agencies and organizations with strict data residency requirements.

4. Tailored Services: AWS GovCloud offers services specifically tailored to the needs of government agencies and organizations, such as AWS Snowball Edge for secure edge computing and data transfer, and AWS Ground Station for satellite communication.

5. Seamless Integration: Despite its unique security features, AWS GovCloud integrates seamlessly with other AWS services and regions, enabling organizations to leverage the full power of AWS while maintaining compliance.

6. Scalability and Flexibility: Like any AWS region, GovCloud provides the same scalability and flexibility to handle varying workloads, allowing government agencies and organizations to innovate, grow, and modernize their IT infrastructure efficiently.

Given its strengths, you can see why AWS GovCloud is a common choice for US organizations handling sensitive data and regulated workloads.

Important Considerations for GovCloud Users

When it's time to get the most out of your AWS GovCloud setup, it's important that you're aware of some of its key aspects.

Here are our crucial considerations:

1. Data Residency: AWS GovCloud is designed to store and process data within the United States to comply with specific data residency requirements. Ensure that your organization understands and adheres to these requirements when working with data in AWS GovCloud.

2. Personnel Restrictions: Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents can access and manage AWS GovCloud, and they must be physically located within the United States. Ensure that your organization's employees or contractors working with GovCloud meet these criteria.

3. Compliance Maintenance: While AWS GovCloud helps users meet compliance requirements, it's still your responsibility to ensure that applications and data storage practices adhere to the necessary standards. Regular audits and security checks should be performed to maintain compliance.

4. Limited Services: AWS GovCloud offers a subset of AWS services tailored for government and compliance needs. Although Hyperglance runs on GovCloud, some other AWS services may not be available or may have limited functionality in GovCloud. Before migrating or deploying applications, verify that all required services are available and meet your organization's needs.

5. Resource Management: Like any cloud environment, it's essential to monitor and manage resources effectively in AWS GovCloud to avoid cost overruns and ensure optimal performance. Implement budgeting, cost optimization, and monitoring strategies to keep track of resource usage.

6. Data Transfer: Data transfer between AWS GovCloud and other AWS regions or non-GovCloud accounts can be subject to additional costs and latency. Plan your data movement and communication strategies accordingly to avoid unexpected expenses and performance issues.

7. Technical Support: AWS GovCloud support is available only to customers who have purchased AWS Support, which offers various levels of assistance. Ensure that your organization has the appropriate support plan in place to address any technical issues that may arise.

Azure Government v GovCloud

Microsoft Azure's equivalent to AWS GovCloud is Azure Government.

Azure Government is a separate, isolated instance of Microsoft Azure designed specifically to meet the compliance and security requirements of United States federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, as well as private organizations working with sensitive and regulated data.

Azure Government offers a range of cloud services tailored to the needs of public sector organizations, while ensuring strict adherence to compliance standards such as FedRAMP High, CJIS, DoD SRG, ITAR, HIPAA, and more.

Similar to AWS GovCloud, Azure Government ensures data sovereignty by storing data exclusively within the United States and requiring data center personnel to be U.S. citizens or residents.

While both Azure Government and AWS GovCloud cater to the needs of government agencies and organizations with stringent security and compliance requirements, there are several differences between the two offerings:

1. Cloud Services Portfolio: AWS generally has a more extensive range of cloud services compared to Azure. However, both Azure Government and AWS GovCloud offer a subset of their respective parent platforms' services, tailored for the public sector. As a result, the specific services available in each may vary, so it's essential to evaluate which platform offers the services your organization requires.

2. Market Share and Adoption: AWS GovCloud has been in the market longer than Azure Government and has a more extensive customer base. Nevertheless, Azure Government has been gaining traction, especially among organizations with a strong Microsoft-centric technology stack.

3. Integration with Existing Services: If your organization already relies heavily on Microsoft products and services, such as Office 365 or Active Directory, Azure Government may provide better integration and a more seamless experience. Conversely, organizations that already use AWS services might find it more convenient to adopt AWS GovCloud.

4. Pricing: Pricing structures between Azure Government and AWS GovCloud may differ, and the costs associated with specific services and usage patterns will vary. It's essential to analyze your organization's specific needs and compare the costs of each platform to determine which one is more cost-effective for you.

5. Certifications and Compliance: While both Azure Government and AWS GovCloud adhere to numerous compliance standards, they may hold different certifications or attestations. Be sure to verify that the cloud platform you choose meets all necessary compliance requirements for your organization.

Ultimately, the choice between Azure Government and AWS GovCloud will depend on your organization's specific needs, existing technology stack, and compliance requirements. It's essential to carefully evaluate the offerings and support of each platform to determine the best fit for your organization.