Because government desktop virtualization customers may have more advanced security needs than other types of organizations, technologies such as Windows 365 are available in government editions. We can accommodate these customers.
This service is one of three editions available in Windows 365, along with Business and Enterprise editions. Like other editions, Windows 365 Government provides dedicated Windows VMs to customers. Only in this case, the customers are U.S. government agencies and their contractors.
What comes with Windows 365 Government?
Windows 365 Government, like other Windows 365 editions, is a separate product from both Office 365 and Microsoft 365. Both are productivity suites that include a variety of apps, services, and in the case of Microsoft 365, Windows Enterprise E3. However, Windows 365 provides a personalized Windows 10 or Windows 11 virtual desktop that users can securely stream to their devices.
These VMs, called cloud PCs, are always available from anywhere you have an Internet connection. Users get a fully personalized Windows experience, including their desktop, apps, settings, and content.
Users can stream virtual desktops to supported devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux PCs, and even Android mobile devices. There are several options for accessing cloud PCs. Users access their virtual desktops using the Windows 365 client app, Microsoft Remote Desktop client, or the Windows 365 portal. The exact approach depends on the user's device and preferences. For example, Windows 365 apps are only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, but users can still choose the remote desktop client.
Microsoft hosts Enterprise Cloud PCs on the commercial portion of Azure, but hosts Government Cloud PCs on Azure Government, which adheres to more stringent compliance requirements.
In terms of functionality, Windows 365 Government is similar to Windows 365 Enterprise and Business editions. The main difference is that the Government edition is specifically designed for government agencies or contractors who are eligible to use services hosted on the Government Community Cloud (GCC) or GCC High. The two cloud platforms adhere to more stringent security and compliance requirements than Microsoft's commercial cloud, with GCC High being the more restrictive of the two cloud platforms.
As part of compliance requirements, all data is stored within our data centers in the United States. Additionally, cloud PCs available through Windows 365 Government are only provisioned with GCC or GCC High. However, Windows 365 Government desktop users will continue to have the same Windows experience they get with Enterprise or Business editions, making it much easier for users to migrate between editions. In fact, you can sign in using the same ID and credentials.
Windows 365 Government provides comprehensive services for delivering virtual desktops to customers eligible for GCC or GCC High.
Complete Windows experience. Users get a full Windows desktop experience with support for desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps. Each user receives a personalized PC in the cloud with their own apps, data, and settings. A cloud PC is assigned to that user as her dedicated Windows desktop.
Intune integration. Windows 365 Government is fully integrated with Microsoft Intune. This management platform allows administrators to configure policies to protect and manage data for cloud PCs and their users.
cloud service model. Windows 365 Government is a cloud service, so customers can enjoy all the benefits of the cloud. Users can access their desktop from any supported device, anytime, anywhere. Virtual desktops are easy to deploy, manage, and scale, helping reduce on-site infrastructure and management costs.
Security and Compliance. Windows 365 Government includes many security features, including conditional access, multi-factor authentication, and data loss prevention. Because this service is part of the Azure Government cloud platform, it is built to meet the specific security and compliance requirements of government agencies, including U.S. government agencies, defense agencies, and state, local, and tribal agencies.
Windows 365 Government and Windows 365 Enterprise
With Windows 365 Government, Microsoft has strived to match the features and functionality of Windows 365 Enterprise as closely as possible. However, unlike the Enterprise edition, Windows 365 Government is specifically designed to meet the requirements of U.S. government agencies and their contractors.
For example, Microsoft hosts Enterprise Cloud PCs on the commercial portion of Azure, but hosts Government Cloud PCs on Azure Government, which has more stringent compliance requirements. As a result, unlike the Enterprise edition, the Government edition can support workloads such as Criminal Justice Information Services and IRS Publication 1075.
Microsoft has identified four key areas that Windows 365 Government will address to meet U.S. government requirements.
Exclusive customer base. Windows 365 Government services are available only to government agencies and certified third-party contractors who work with sensitive government data.
Internal access is restricted. Microsoft restricts internal access to Windows 365 Government customer data. Other than the customer, only his Microsoft personnel who are US citizens and have passed the required background checks can access the data.
Third Party Audit. Certified auditors evaluate all infrastructure related to Windows 365 Government and provide their security assessments to federal agencies, which may use the security assessments to issue authorizations to operate. Determine.
US storage only. All data must be stored within the continental United States on infrastructure that complies with GCC or GCC High standards.
Windows 365 Enterprise is implemented on a commercial cloud and is not concerned with these four areas. However, the Enterprise edition also offers features that the Government edition does not currently offer. For example, Government edition does not support unified dashboards, security baselines, Microsoft Dev Box, Windows 365 Frontline, or the new Microsoft Teams client. Microsoft maintains a list of features that are not included on the website.
Windows 365 Government entitlement
Windows 365 Government services are available only to customers eligible to use GCC or GCC High services. However, the agency itself may be at the federal, state, local, or tribal level. Microsoft defines an eligible reseller as one of the following:
Federal agency. Any agency (including any bureau, office, department, or other organization) of the United States Government.
State/Local Agencies. Any state or local government entity, including a county, borough, federal, city, municipality, town, township, special purpose district, or similar legal structure. This category also includes entities such as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tribal agency. A federally recognized tribal organization eligible to receive funding and services from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Non-governmental organizations are also eligible to use Windows 365 Government services if they are “sponsored contractors that hold and process certain controlled data types.” Examples of acceptable government data types include criminal justice information, Department of Defense impact level data, Department of Defense, unclassified controlled nuclear information, and other types of data subject to government regulation. Non-government contractors must be able to demonstrate that they are working with this type of data.
How to purchase Windows 365 Government
Customers who are ready to purchase Windows 365 Government should contact their Microsoft account team or certified partner to get a price quote and place an order. However, before purchasing a license, new customers must complete and submit the Government Community Cloud Eligibility Intake Form, which verifies the organization's eligibility to use GCC or GCC High services. Microsoft will contact your organization if it requires additional information beyond what you provided on the form.
Existing Microsoft customers using Microsoft 365 GCC or GCC High tenants do not need to fill out the intake form. Add Windows 365 Government to your service by simply contacting your Microsoft account team or licensing partner.
In addition to a Windows 365 Government license, each user must also license the following three products:
Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise.
Microsoft Intune.
Microsoft Entra ID P1.
Microsoft Intune and Entra ID P1 are included in several Microsoft 365 products, including Microsoft 365 G3, Microsoft 365 G5, Microsoft 365 E3, and Microsoft 365 E5. Intune and Entra ID P1 licenses can also be purchased separately. Not surprisingly, Windows 365 Government is only available in the US.
Robert Sheldon is a technology consultant and freelance technology writer. He has written numerous books, articles, and training materials related to Windows, databases, business intelligence, and other technology areas.
