Government agencies and organizations working with regulated data must carefully evaluate their IT infrastructure choices. When using Atlassian tools such as Jira Software, Confluence, and Jira Service Management (JSM), choosing between Atlassian Cloud and Atlassian Data Center is an important decision. Each option offers distinct advantages and considerations based on security, compliance, scalability, and operational control.

This guide provides a comparison of Atlassian Cloud vs. Atlassian Data Center, helping government entities determine the most suitable deployment for their needs.

Key Considerations for Government IT Deployments

Before selecting a deployment model, government organizations should assess:

• Compliance Requirements – Does the platform meet FedRAMP, FISMA, or other government security standards?
• Data Security & Sovereignty – How is sensitive data stored, accessed, and protected?
• Scalability & Performance – Can the solution handle organizational growth and increasing workloads?
• Operational Control – Does the organization require full control over configurations and maintenance?
• Cost & Maintenance – What are the long-term financial and administrative implications?

With these factors in mind, let’s compare Atlassian Cloud and Atlassian Data Center for government use.

Atlassian Cloud for Government

Atlassian Cloud provides a fully managed solution where infrastructure, security, and maintenance are handled by Atlassian. This option eliminates the need for self-hosted environments, making it easier for teams to focus on their core missions.

Advantages of Atlassian Cloud

1. FedRAMP-Authorized Cloud (Gov)
   • Atlassian offers Atlassian Cloud (Gov), designed to meet FedRAMP Moderate compliance for government agencies.
   • Ensures security controls align with federal regulations.
2. Automatic Updates & Security Patching
   • Atlassian handles platform updates, security patches, and system maintenance.
   • Reduces the administrative burden on internal IT teams.
3. Scalability & Reliability
   • Provides elastic scaling to accommodate growing workloads.
   • Hosted on AWS and other secure cloud providers with high availability features.
4. Reduced IT Overhead
   • Eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure.
   • Organizations do not have to manage servers, backups, or database maintenance.
5. Global Accessibility
   • Enables remote teams to access Atlassian tools securely from anywhere.
   • Integrated with Atlassian Access for enterprise-grade identity management.

Challenges of Atlassian Cloud

• Limited Customization & Control
  • Organizations must operate within Atlassian’s defined configurations and cannot modify the underlying infrastructure.
• Data Residency Considerations
  • While Atlassian provides data residency options, organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements may have limitations.
• Subscription-Based Costs
  • Requires ongoing licensing fees, which may be higher over time compared to self-hosted alternatives.

Atlassian Data Center for Government

Atlassian Data Center is a self-managed deployment, allowing government agencies to host Atlassian applications on their own infrastructure. This model is well-suited for organizations that require full control over their environments.

Advantages of Atlassian Data Center

1. Full Control Over Data & Security
   • Organizations retain full authority over data storage, encryption, and compliance configurations.
   • Supports air-gapped environments for agencies with high-security needs.
2. Customizable Infrastructure
   • Agencies can configure Atlassian applications to meet specific operational and compliance requirements.
   • Supports on-premises, private cloud, or hybrid deployments.
3. Enhanced Performance & High Availability
   • Can be configured for multi-node clustering, ensuring better redundancy and uptime.
   • Ideal for agencies with high-volume workloads requiring consistent performance.
4. Integration with Existing Security Frameworks
   • Supports government-mandated identity and access management solutions.
   • Can be integrated with existing firewalls, SIEM tools, and compliance monitoring systems.
5. One-Time Licensing Costs
   • While there are costs associated with hardware, maintenance, and support, a Data Center license is not subscription-based.

Challenges of Atlassian Data Center

• Requires Internal IT Resources
  • Agencies must have dedicated teams to manage deployment, maintenance, and upgrades.
• Infrastructure Costs
  • Requires investment in servers, storage, and networking to host and manage the environment.
• Longer Deployment Timelines
  • Implementing a self-hosted solution involves configuration, testing, and security assessments before it is production-ready.

Comparing Atlassian Cloud vs. Data Center for Government Use

Choosing the Right Deployment for Government Use

When to Choose Atlassian Cloud:

• If your organization needs FedRAMP-compliant cloud services without self-hosting responsibilities.
• If you want automatic updates and security patches managed by Atlassian.
• If reducing IT infrastructure overhead is a priority.

When to Choose Atlassian Data Center:

• If your agency requires complete control over data storage and security policies.
• If you need an air-gapped or private cloud deployment due to regulatory requirements.
• If high-performance, custom integrations, and advanced security configurations are necessary.

Both Atlassian Cloud and Atlassian Data Center offer robust solutions for government agencies, but the choice depends on compliance requirements, security policies, and IT capabilities. Organizations that prioritize simplicity and managed services may benefit from Atlassian Cloud (Gov), while those needing full control and customization may find Atlassian Data Center the better fit.

Clovity, as an Atlassian Gold Solution Partner, helps government organizations assess, deploy, and optimize their Atlassian environments based on compliance needs. If your agency is evaluating Cloud vs. Data Center, our team can provide guidance on selecting and implementing the best solution for long-term success.

For more insights, contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

📧 Contact us at sales@clovity.com or visit 🌐 atlassian.clovity.com to get started today