Federal agencies and other government organizations face unique challenges when it comes to choosing the right software solutions. Compliance, security, and data protection are top priorities, and choosing the right Atlassian deployment model is essential. For organizations that require FedRAMP compliance, Atlassian Cloud for Government is the go-to option. However, some agencies are exploring whether Atlassian Data Center can serve as an alternative.

Understanding FedRAMP Requirements

FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) establishes rigorous standards for cloud services used by federal agencies. These standards ensure that cloud products meet strict security and data protection requirements. While Atlassian Cloud for Government holds a FedRAMP Moderate Authorization, Atlassian Data Center is not inherently FedRAMP-authorized. Therefore, agencies must carefully assess their needs before choosing a deployment model.

Benefits of Atlassian Data Center for Government Agencies

Atlassian Data Center offers several benefits that can make it a suitable option for some agencies, despite not holding FedRAMP authorization.

1. Self-Managed Infrastructure: Agencies maintain full control over their environment, allowing them to implement custom security configurations and access controls.
2. High Availability and Performance: Built to support mission-critical applications, Data Center provides active-active clustering and load balancing to minimize downtime.
3. Customization and Flexibility: Agencies can integrate third-party tools and add-ons to meet their unique operational requirements.
4. Data Residency: Data can be stored on-premises or within agency-controlled data centers, addressing concerns related to data sovereignty.
5. Compliance with Local Standards: Although not FedRAMP-authorized, Data Center deployments can comply with other federal and agency-specific regulations through robust configuration management.

Challenges of Using Data Center for FedRAMP Requirements

Despite its strengths, Data Center faces limitations when it comes to meeting FedRAMP standards:

• No Built-In FedRAMP Authorization: Unlike Atlassian Cloud for Government, Data Center requires agencies to implement and manage their own compliance frameworks.
• Complex Audits and Maintenance: Agencies must undergo independent security assessments to meet FedRAMP criteria, increasing administrative overhead.
• Infrastructure Responsibility: Maintaining security controls, patch management, and incident response processes is solely the agency’s responsibility.

Making the Right Choice: Cloud or Data Center?

Choosing between Atlassian Cloud and Data Center comes down to balancing control and compliance needs. While Cloud offers built-in FedRAMP Moderate compliance, Data Center appeals to agencies that prefer self-managed environments. Organizations should evaluate factors like data sovereignty, security requirements, and long-term scalability before making a decision.

How Clovity Can Help

Clovity, as an Atlassian Gold Solution Partner, assists agencies in making informed decisions about their Atlassian deployments. Whether you opt for Cloud or Data Center, our team can guide you through compliance challenges and implement secure, efficient solutions tailored to your needs.

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