Your IT or compliance team knows that GCC High is essential for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and achieving CMMC compliance—but your leadership team may not be fully on board. Whether they’re concerned about cost, disruption, or the need itself, getting executive buy-in for GCC High migration starts with the right conversation.
Here’s how to explain the value of GCC High in a way that resonates with decision-makers.
1. Start With the Business Risk
Instead of leading with technical details, lead with what’s at stake:
Contract eligibility: Many federal RFPs now require GCC High
Audit readiness: Operating in the wrong cloud can result in compliance failures
Reputation and revenue: A failed audit or data breach can damage trust and cost millions
Frame GCC High migration not as a tech upgrade—but as a business-critical move to maintain and grow federal work.
2. Clarify What GCC High Solves
GCC High exists to meet federal compliance standards that Commercial Microsoft 365 cannot. Make it clear that this is about:
U.S. data residency and screened personnel access
ITAR and DFARS regulatory requirements
Hosting environments approved for storing and securing CUI
3. Present It as a Strategic Investment
Help leadership see the migration as a proactive, long-term investment:
Positions the business for future bids and partnerships
Reduces risk of last-minute, rushed remediation
Lowers exposure to noncompliance penalties
Enables scalable growth within the federal market
Include potential cost avoidance (e.g., failed audits, lost contracts) as part of your ROI framing.
4. Break Down the Timeline and Plan
Executives may fear complexity or disruption. Ease concerns by showing:
A clear, staged migration process
Support from experienced GCC High migration services providers
Minimal downtime with scheduled phases
Post-migration support and optimization
5. Reinforce What Happens If You Don’t Move
The most persuasive argument may be this: If we don’t migrate, we may not qualify for upcoming contracts. Explain how staying in Commercial (or even GCC) may soon put the company at a competitive disadvantage—or worse, in breach of compliance.