Collaboration platforms like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive are essential for mission success—but without the right configurations, they can inadvertently expose Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
The Risks of Open Collaboration
In commercial Microsoft 365 environments, sharing is designed to be frictionless. But for government contractors, this ease can introduce dangerous vulnerabilities. Common issues include:
External sharing settings that permit unauthorized access
Guest users without proper role restrictions
Files containing CUI left in open or broadly accessible folders
Inconsistent labeling and classification policies
Any of these scenarios can lead to CUI leakage—jeopardizing contracts, triggering compliance violations, or worse.
Compliance Depends on Configuration
Even if you’re using Microsoft tools, proper configuration is what ensures compliance with frameworks like DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC. This means:
Enabling data loss prevention (DLP) across collaboration channels
Using sensitivity labels to restrict and encrypt content
Setting up conditional access and device compliance policies
Auditing activity logs for suspicious behavior
Failure to implement these controls can leave you out of alignment with cybersecurity requirements—and vulnerable to breaches.
Strategic Move: GCC High Migration Services
Many contractors find that their current Microsoft 365 tenant lacks the necessary safeguards for CUI. That’s where GCC High migration services come in. GCC High provides a FedRAMP High and ITAR-aligned environment tailored for defense work, with built-in tools to help secure collaboration from the ground up.