- AWS GovCloud (US) is a set of isolated AWS regions designed specifically for United States government agencies, their contractors, and highly regulated industries that require adherence to strict compliance and data sovereignty regulations.
- These regions operate on US soil and are staffed exclusively by US citizens who have undergone background checks.
Key Features of AWS GovCloud:
- High-Level Compliance: AWS GovCloud (US) supports a wide range of compliance frameworks, including:
- FedRAMP High Baseline
- DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) Impact Levels 2, 4, and 5
- U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Security Policy
- FIPS 140-2
- IRS-1075
- Isolated Infrastructure: GovCloud regions are physically and logically separated from standard AWS regions, providing an additional layer of security and data sovereignty.
- US Persons Only: Access to GovCloud accounts and resources is restricted to US citizens and screened US entities.
- Data Residency: Data stored within GovCloud regions remains within the United States.
Use Cases for AWS GovCloud:
- Government Workloads: GovCloud is ideal for government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to manage sensitive data and applications.
- ITAR-Compliant Organizations: Companies working with data subject to ITAR regulations can confidently operate within GovCloud's secure environment.
- Highly Regulated Industries: Organizations in sectors like healthcare, finance, and defense that handle sensitive data (PII, PHI, CUI) can leverage GovCloud to meet their strict compliance requirements.
- Defense Contractors: GovCloud provides a suitable platform for defense contractors to work on projects involving classified or controlled data.
Benefits of Using AWS GovCloud:
- Compliance Made Easy: GovCloud simplifies the process of achieving and maintaining compliance with stringent government and industry regulations.
- Enhanced Security: The isolated infrastructure, access restrictions, and compliance focus provide maximum security for sensitive workloads.
- Data Sovereignty: Ensures data remains within US borders and under the control of US persons, crucial for sensitive government data and workloads subject to ITAR.
- Familiarity of AWS: GovCloud leverages the same AWS services and technologies available in standard regions, allowing organizations to seamlessly migrate compliant workloads.