7 FedRAMP‑Authorized Cloud Platforms for Storing CUI
Government agencies face significant security and compliance risks when managing controlled unclassified information (CUI). As they handle sensitive data, cyberattacks and inadequate content governance can lead to data breaches and unauthorized access. Compliance risks are also a concern, particularly with regulations such as NIST 800-171 and ITAR. To address these challenges, agencies can benefit from FedRAMP-authorized cloud platforms that provide secure, compliant data storage and sharing solutions.
Agencies and DIB contractors reading this post will learn how FedRAMP‑authorized platforms mitigate risk, accelerate compliance, and strengthen resilience across the supply chain. You’ll get a concise comparison of leading solutions, guidance on deployment choices that impact authorization and control inheritance, and a summary of how a unified Private Data Network approach simplifies governance. The result: faster audits, fewer silos, and stronger protection for CUI.
Executive Summary
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Main idea: FedRAMP‑authorized cloud platforms enable secure, compliant storage and sharing of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) while aligning with CMMC and broader federal requirements.
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Why you should care: The right platform reduces cyber risk, preserves DoD contracts, accelerates ATOs, and safeguards the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and national security by protecting sensitive data end‑to‑end.
Key Takeaways
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FedRAMP is foundational, not optional. It standardizes security benchmarks for cloud services handling CUI, speeding ATOs and reducing audit friction while aligning with CMMC and NIST 800‑171.
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Protecting CUI protects national security. Strong encryption, zero‑trust access, and verifiable auditability help secure the DIB supply chain and reduce the blast radius of breaches.
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Deployment choice matters. Government‑specific regions, single‑tenant SaaS, and hybrid options enhance isolation, data sovereignty, and control inheritance for compliance.
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Unified governance cuts risk. Centralized policy, DLP, and chain‑of‑custody visibility span files, email, MFT, and APIs to eliminate blind spots.
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Kiteworks streamlines compliance. Its Private Data Network unifies content communications with FedRAMP‑authorized controls, CMMC alignment, and hybrid deployment flexibility.
Why FedRAMP‑Authorized Platforms Protect CUI—and the DIB—Beyond Compliance
While FedRAMP compliance is a prerequisite for many government workloads and a practical pathway to CMMC compliance and maintaining DoD contracts, its value extends further. FedRAMP standardizes rigorous control baselines, enabling agencies and contractors to inherit proven security, reduce misconfiguration risk, and streamline continuous monitoring. This hardens defenses around CUI, limits lateral movement, and strengthens incident response with auditable, tamper‑evident logs. In turn, safeguarding CUI fortifies the DIB supply chain and national security by reducing adversaries’ opportunities to exploit sensitive information.
CMMC 2.0 Compliance Roadmap for DoD Contractors
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Vendor |
FedRAMP scope/offerings (verify current Marketplace status) |
Core strengths for CUI |
Deployment options |
Encryption at rest/in transit |
Zero‑trust access |
Audit/chain of custody |
Notable integrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Kiteworks |
FedRAMP‑authorized platform |
Unified Private Data Network, zero‑trust, chain‑of‑custody |
Single‑tenant SaaS, on‑prem, IaaS, hybrid |
FIPS‑validated crypto, E2EE |
Policy‑driven, granular least privilege |
Unified, tamper‑evident logging |
SIEM/SOAR, DLP, email, MFT |
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Microsoft |
Azure Government, Microsoft 365 GCC/GCC High/DoD |
Broad compliance, identity and threat protection |
Government clouds, hybrid |
Platform encryption |
Conditional access, Defender stack |
Extensive logging and compliance center |
M365, Azure services |
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Virtru |
Virtru for Government (VFG) |
Data‑centric encryption and sharing controls |
Gov‑authorized SaaS, integrations |
Client‑side/TDF encryption |
Attribute‑based access controls |
Detailed sharing events |
Gmail, Outlook, Drive |
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PreVeil |
Works with FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS |
E2EE email/files, CMMC focus |
Cloud/desktop/mobile, partner cloud |
E2EE by default |
Identity‑bound access |
Auditable sharing history |
O365/Google interop |
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AWS |
AWS GovCloud (US), selected services |
High‑assurance IaaS/PaaS, breadth of services |
GovCloud regions, hybrid |
KMS/HSM, service‑level crypto |
Fine‑grained IAM |
CloudTrail, Config |
Broad ISV ecosystem |
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DropSecure |
Works with FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS |
Zero‑knowledge secure file exchange |
SaaS, private cloud options |
Zero‑knowledge, E2EE |
Link‑level controls |
Transfer logs |
Productivity suites, SSO |
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Sharetru |
Gov‑focused SFTP/MFT offerings |
Segmented SFTP/MFT with policy controls |
Gov‑ready SaaS, private deployments |
Strong TLS/at‑rest |
Role‑based controls |
Transfer and admin logs |
SFTP/MFT tooling |
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Box |
Box for Government |
Content governance, collaboration, eDiscovery |
FedRAMP‑authorized SaaS |
Encryption with KeySafe options |
Box Shield policies |
Retention, legal holds, audit |
Productivity, eDiscovery |
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FileCloud |
Deploys on FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS |
Granular sharing, data residency control |
Self‑hosted, managed, hybrid |
At‑rest/in‑transit, key control |
Role/policy controls |
Admin and user activity logs |
AD/SSO, DLP tools |
1. Kiteworks
Kiteworks equips enterprises, government bodies, and regulated organizations with a unified Private Data Network for secure file sharing, secure email, managed transfers, and web forms. This platform supports compliance with NIST standards and ensures sensitive information is protected through end-to-end encryption and zero-trust access controls.
Kiteworks’ strength is unifying all content communications—files, email, SFTP/MFT, APIs—under a single control plane with granular policy, FIPS‑validated cryptography, and tamper‑evident chain‑of‑custody logging. Its FedRAMP‑authorized platform and CMMC alignment help agencies inherit proven controls while maintaining isolation via single‑tenant SaaS or hybrid deployments. Deep integrations with DLP, SIEM/SOAR, and identity systems streamline monitoring, and detailed auditability accelerates ATOs and incident response. The result is reduced risk, fewer silos, and consistent governance across every data exchange.
2. Microsoft
Microsoft Azure Government and Microsoft 365 Government (GCC, GCC High, and DoD) provide dedicated environments engineered to meet stringent U.S. government requirements, including FedRAMP, DoD CC SRG, and CJIS. Advanced identity, access, and threat protection—spanning Entra ID, Conditional Access, and Microsoft Defender—help enforce zero‑trust principles at scale.
Strengths include broad compliance coverage, deep logging and eDiscovery across workloads, and mature data governance tooling in Purview and the Compliance Center. Agencies benefit from seamless productivity with Office, robust key management (including customer‑key options), and hybrid capabilities that respect data residency and sovereignty. These controls, together with strong integration breadth, make Microsoft’s government clouds a versatile backbone for CUI handling.
3. Virtru
Google Cloud’s platform is FedRAMP-authorized, making it suitable for U.S. government use. It offers a variety of secure services and compliance features, including data encryption, access control, and extensive audit trails.
Virtru for Government (VFG) focuses on data‑centric security for email and file sharing using the Trusted Data Format (TDF). Its strengths are simple, user‑friendly client‑side encryption, attribute‑based access controls, and persistent protection that travels with the data. Agencies can revoke access, set expirations, and enforce watermarks without breaking workflows. Native integrations with Gmail, Outlook, and popular storage services enable rapid adoption. Detailed event logs support auditing and compliance, helping organizations protect CUI with minimal change management.
4. PreVeil
IBM Cloud delivers compliance with FedRAMP and other regulations alongside comprehensive data protection capabilities. It features robust security measures like end‑to‑end encryption and is known for its high reliability.
PreVeil provides end‑to‑end encrypted email and file sharing designed for CMMC and NIST 800‑171 alignment. Its strengths are strong cryptography by default, identity‑bound access, and intuitive user experiences within familiar tools (e.g., Outlook and mobile clients). PreVeil’s architecture minimizes attack surface by keeping keys with the organization, helping contain breaches and insider risk. Organizations can deploy alongside FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS to inherit infrastructure controls while leveraging PreVeil’s E2EE to protect CUI throughout collaboration and supply chain workflows.
5. AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a dedicated GovCloud region, specifically designed to host sensitive data and regulated workloads, ensuring compliance with U.S. government standards. It features robust security measures, including encryption and granular access controls.
AWS GovCloud (US) delivers broad FedRAMP authorization coverage across IaaS/PaaS with mature identity (IAM), key management (KMS/CloudHSM), and pervasive logging (CloudTrail, Config). Agencies can compose secure architectures using managed services, inherit baseline controls, and apply fine‑grained segmentation. Strengths include scale, breadth of services, and an extensive partner ecosystem for data protection, analytics, and automation. With robust network segmentation, private connectivity, and hybrid tooling, AWS supports resilient, compliant environments for CUI‑centric applications and storage.
6. DropSecure
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure meets FedRAMP requirements and provides government organizations with highly secure storage solutions. Its comprehensive compliance features include automated security controls and reporting capabilities.
DropSecure focuses on zero‑knowledge, end‑to‑end encrypted file exchange and collaboration, making it straightforward to share sensitive data without exposing encryption keys to the service provider. Strengths include secure links with granular controls (expiration, password, view‑only), detailed transfer logging, and ease of adoption across internal and external users. When paired with FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS or government‑specific deployments, DropSecure can help organizations extend secure, compliant file exchange to partners and suppliers handling CUI with minimal friction.
7. Sharetru
Salesforce offers a dedicated Government Cloud approved under FedRAMP, delivering secure public services with compliance and data regulations. It includes features for data encryption, security monitoring, and access governance.
Sharetru (formerly FTP Today) provides government‑focused SFTP/MFT capabilities with segmented environments, granular permissions, and detailed transfer auditing. Its strengths are policy‑controlled external file exchange, IP and geo‑restrictions, and simplified administration for managing partner access at scale. Agencies and contractors can enforce least‑privilege sharing and maintain visibility over data ingress/egress. Deployed in government‑ready environments and aligned to FedRAMP baselines, Sharetru helps reduce exfiltration risk while supporting secure, compliant third‑party collaboration on CUI.
8. Box
Box for Government is a FedRAMP‑authorized SaaS offering purpose‑built for public sector collaboration and content governance. It combines robust sharing controls, Box Shield for data classification and threat detection, and eDiscovery/retention features that support legal and compliance workflows.
Strengths include user‑friendly collaboration, strong API extensibility, and options like Box KeySafe for customer‑managed encryption keys. Box integrates with leading productivity suites and security ecosystems, enabling organizations to standardize content management across agencies and contractors. Detailed audit logs, legal holds, and granular permissions help agencies confidently govern CUI while maintaining productivity and cross‑organization sharing.
9. FileCloud
FileCloud offers secure file sharing and content collaboration with flexible deployment—self‑hosted, managed, or hybrid—so organizations can run in FedRAMP‑authorized IaaS to inherit infrastructure controls. It provides granular sharing policies, device management, and data residency options that support regulatory compliance requirements.
Strengths include detailed permissioning, DLP and retention capabilities, and tight integration with enterprise identity (AD/SSO) and storage backends. FileCloud’s administrative visibility and audit trails help track who accessed what and when, while its hybrid model lets agencies balance control, performance, and cost. This flexibility supports CUI governance across complex, distributed environments and supplier ecosystems.
Why a Kiteworks Private Data Network Is the Ideal Choice for CUI in the Cloud
Selecting the right FedRAMP-authorized cloud platform for storing CUI is crucial for government agencies to mitigate risks associated with sensitive information. Platforms like Kiteworks provide comprehensive security and compliance features that can help agencies simplify their workflows while protecting data integrity and confidentiality.
Kiteworks’ Private Data Network uniquely unifies file sharing, email, SFTP/MFT, forms, and APIs under a single control plane with zero‑trust access, FIPS‑validated cryptography, and tamper‑evident chain‑of‑custody. FedRAMP authorization and CMMC alignment let agencies inherit proven controls while retaining isolation in single‑tenant SaaS, on‑prem, IaaS, or hybrid deployments. Centralized policy and DLP reduce misconfigurations, detailed auditability accelerates ATOs and investigations, and deep integrations with SIEM/SOAR and identity streamline monitoring. For agencies and DIB contractors protecting CUI, Kiteworks delivers governance without sacrificing usability—ideal for securing national‑security‑relevant data flows.
To learn more about Kiteworks for protecting CUI stored in the cloud, schedule a custom demo today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is sensitive but not classified data that federal agencies and contractors must safeguard under laws, regulations, and government‑wide policies. Because CUI disclosure can harm missions and national security, it requires strong controls—encryption, access governance, monitoring, and auditability—aligned to frameworks like NIST 800‑171 and CMMC. FedRAMP‑authorized cloud services help standardize these protections for hosted workloads, reducing risk and compliance friction.
FedRAMP provides standardized security baselines for cloud services used by federal agencies. CMMC overlays cybersecurity practices for DIB contractors handling CUI. Using FedRAMP‑authorized cloud offerings helps organizations inherit tested controls, streamline ATOs, and demonstrate alignment with NIST 800‑171 compliance—key to CMMC conformance. Together, they reduce gaps that jeopardize DoD contracts, accelerate audits, and improve resilience against advanced persistent threats targeting the DIB supply chain.
Check the FedRAMP Marketplace for current authorization status, impact level (e.g., Moderate, High), and the specific services or environments covered. Confirm scope details—commercial vs. government‑specific offerings (e.g., GCC High, GovCloud), regions, and inherited controls. Because providers evolve quickly, always validate the exact product/region version your organization will use, and document any shared responsibility items to ensure compliance for CUI workloads.
Prioritize end‑to‑end encryption (ideally FIPS‑validated), zero‑trust access with granular policy, strong identity integration, comprehensive logging and tamper‑evident auditability, and data loss prevention. Look for single‑tenant or government‑specific deployments, customer‑managed keys, and rich APIs for integration. Unified governance across file sharing, email, and MFT reduces blind spots. Lastly, ensure the solution supports continuous monitoring and aligns with NIST 800‑171 and CMMC practices.
It depends on risk, sovereignty, and operational needs. Single‑tenant FedRAMP‑authorized SaaS accelerates ATOs and simplifies operations. On‑prem or IaaS‑hosted models maximize control and data residency. Hybrid combines the best of both, segmenting workloads while maintaining unified governance and auditability. Whatever you choose, ensure zero‑trust access, customer‑managed keys where needed, and comprehensive logging to satisfy NIST 800‑171/CMMC requirements.
Additional Resources
- Blog Post
CMMC Compliance for Small Businesses: Challenges and Solutions - Blog Post
CMMC Compliance Guide for DIB Suppliers - Blog Post
CMMC Audit Requirements: What Assessors Need to See When Gauging Your CMMC Readiness - Guide
CMMC 2.0 Compliance Mapping for Sensitive Content Communications - Blog Post
The True Cost of CMMC Compliance: What Defense Contractors Need to Budget For