• 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.