10 Best Cloud Storage Platforms for Government Agencies

Government agencies handle some of the most sensitive data out there, from citizen records to national security information. Choosing the wrong cloud storage platform can mean compliance headaches, security risks, or even legal trouble. This list breaks down 10 cloud storage platforms for government agencies, along with the certifications and features that matter most when making a choice. Let’s explore!

‍

Top Cloud Storage Platforms for Public Sector Agencies

‍

We shortlisted these 10 platforms based on their popularity among government agencies, track record, features, certification level, and overall ease of use.

‍

1. Amazon S3 (via AWS GovCloud US)

Amazon S3 is Amazon’s cloud storage service. Its GovCloud (US) Regions are designed for government agencies, allowing them to store and access large amounts of data using the same S3 interface available to commercial customers. 

‍

GovCloud also includes government-specific settings and endpoints to meet agency requirements. 

‍

S3 is one of the most widely used FedRAMP-authorized storage services among federal agencies, with plenty of documentation and integrations to support government workloads.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High (via AWS GovCloud US)
• FedRAMP Moderate (via standard commercial AWS regions)
• DoD Impact Levels up to IL5 (GovCloud)
• FIPS 140-3 validated endpoints available for agencies with FIPS requirements
• ITAR-compliant (GovCloud supports export-controlled data workloads)
• NIST 800-53 aligned

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency & sovereignty: For FedRAMP High and Impact Level workloads, agencies need to use AWS GovCloud (US). Standard AWS regions only support the Moderate baseline. Data also can't be directly copied between GovCloud and other AWS regions, so agencies need to plan where their data will be stored from the start.

‍

• Security features: Native encryption at rest and in transit, AWS KMS/CloudHSM for key management, and dedicated FIPS 140-3 endpoints for agencies handling export-controlled or classified-adjacent unclassified data.

‍

• Procurement vehicles: Available via GSA Schedule and other federal contract vehicles; widely resold through system integrators already holding federal contracts.

‍

• Other considerations: Some newer S3 features (e.g., Transfer Acceleration, MFA delete, S3 Express One Zone) are not available in GovCloud regions, so agencies should verify feature parity against their specific use case before committing to an architecture.

‍

2. Microsoft Azure Blob Storage (via Azure Government)

Azure Blob Storage is Microsoft’s cloud storage service for storing unstructured data. Through Azure Government, agencies get the same core storage capabilities as commercial Azure, but in separate government cloud regions. 

‍

Azure Government has FedRAMP High authorization, while commercial Azure supports FedRAMP Moderate. Microsoft also has more FedRAMP High-authorized services than any other cloud provider.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High (Azure Government, via P-ATO from the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board)
• FedRAMP Moderate (commercial Azure)
• DoD Impact Levels 2, 4, and 5 (Azure Government)
• NIST 800-53 aligned
• Strong NIST 800-171 coverage, relevant for CMMC-driven contracts

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Azure Government keeps agency data in separate US-based data centers, and only screened US citizens can access the systems that support it. This matters if a buyer's contract requires that no foreign national ever touch the infrastructure, even remotely for support or maintenance. 
  
  Commercial Azure regions do not offer this same personnel screening, so agencies with strict citizenship requirements should confirm they are provisioning in Azure Government, not standard Azure.

• Security features: Built in encryption at rest and in transit, with Azure Key Vault for managing encryption keys and granular access controls.

‍

• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and other federal contract vehicles, and widely resold by systems integrators already on federal contracts.

‍

• Other considerations: Not every Azure service reaches FedRAMP High at the same time. Some newer or specialized services are only authorized in limited regions, so agencies should confirm the specific storage feature they need is covered before designing a solution around it.

‍

3. Google Cloud Storage (via Assured Workloads)

Google Cloud Storage is Google’s cloud storage service. Government agencies can use it through Assured Workloads, which helps keep their data and cloud environment within approved regions and security settings. 

‍

Google Cloud Storage is authorized for FedRAMP High and DoD Impact Level 4 workloads, and Google has FedRAMP High authorization for more than 100 services.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High (via Assured Workloads)
• FedRAMP Moderate (also supported in Assured Workloads, included at no extra cost)
• DoD Impact Level 4 (IL4)
• CJIS support for law enforcement data
• NIST 800-53 aligned

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Assured Workloads lets a buyer pick which US regions their data lives in and lock it there, so data cannot drift to a region outside the agency's control. It also restricts who at Google can access the environment, similar to how other providers screen support staff. 
  
  In plain terms, the agency sets the boundary once, and Google enforces it automatically, rather than relying on manual checks.

‍

• Security features: Data is encrypted by default, with the option to add customer-managed encryption keys for buckets holding sensitive or CUI data, plus built-in tools to scan uploads for accidental exposure of personal information.

‍

• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and reseller partners already holding federal contracts.

‍

• Other considerations: Not every Google Cloud service is covered by Assured Workloads at every compliance level. Agencies should confirm the exact service and control package (FedRAMP Moderate vs. High vs. IL4) before building an architecture, since some newer AI and analytics features roll out to the government boundary later than the commercial product.

‍

4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Object Storage for Government

OCI Object Storage is Oracle’s cloud storage service for storing large amounts of data securely and at a low cost. Oracle offers a dedicated US Government Cloud for federal, state, and local agencies. 

‍

It has FedRAMP High authorization, making it a good option for agencies that already use Oracle databases or ERP systems and want to move those workloads to the cloud.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High (JAB Provisional Authorization to Operate)
• DoD Impact Level 4 and 5
• NIST 800-53 aligned
• Strong NIST 800-171 coverage, relevant for CMMC-driven defense contracts

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Oracle's US Government Cloud regions are separate from its commercial cloud regions, so data stays within US-based infrastructure built specifically for government customers. 
  
  This separation matters most for agencies that already have a policy requiring government workloads to run in a dedicated government cloud rather than a shared commercial one.

‍

• Security features: All data is encrypted automatically by default, with no setup required, and agencies can add their own customer-managed keys or client-side encryption for extra control over sensitive data.

‍

• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and Oracle's federal reseller network.

‍

• Other considerations: Oracle Government Cloud is best suited to agencies with existing Oracle database, ERP, or Exadata investments, since much of its value comes from running storage alongside those workloads in the same authorization boundary rather than as a standalone storage service.

‍

5. Box for Government

Box for Government is a secure place to store, share, and manage files in the cloud. It has FedRAMP High authorization, one of the highest levels a cloud platform can reach, and it is already used by agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, NASA, and the Department of Justice.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High
• DoD Impact Level 4 (IL4)
• CJIS (for law enforcement data)
• IRS Publication 1075 (for tax data)
• HIPAA (for health data)
• ITAR
• FIPS 140-2

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Box for Government keeps data inside a separate, secure environment built just for federal customers, so agency files are not mixed in with regular commercial Box accounts. This makes it easier to prove where sensitive data lives when an auditor asks.

‍

• Security features: Files are encrypted both when stored and when shared, even with people outside the agency's network. Box also offers identity and access controls to manage who can see or edit each file.
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and reseller partners such as Carahsoft.
  ‍
• Other considerations: Box works well for agencies that already use Microsoft, Salesforce, or ServiceNow, since it connects smoothly with other FedRAMP High tools those agencies may already have in place.

‍

6. Citrix ShareFile (Citrix Cloud Government)

Citrix ShareFile lets government employees store, share, and access files securely from any device. It runs inside Citrix Cloud Government, a version of Citrix's cloud that is kept completely separate from its regular commercial cloud, and it has reached FedRAMP Moderate status.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP Moderate (Citrix Cloud Government)
• FedRAMP High listing available for select Citrix for Government services
• Built on Microsoft Azure Government, which carries its own FedRAMP and DoD authorizations

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Citrix Cloud Government stores and manages agency data using US-based cloud infrastructure that is fully separate from Citrix's commercial customers. This means an agency's files never sit alongside data from ordinary business customers.
  
  
• Security features: Data is encrypted, and admins can control which devices and locations are allowed to connect. Activity logs make it easy to see who accessed a file and when.
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule, with strong presence via resellers like Carahsoft.
  
  
• Other considerations: ShareFile is a good fit for agencies that need simple, secure file sharing for things like procurement documents or legal discovery, rather than a full content management platform. Agencies with FedRAMP High requirements should confirm which specific Citrix service and impact level applies, since coverage varies across Citrix's government product line.

‍

7. Egnyte (EgnyteGov)

EgnyteGov is Egnyte's secure version of its file storage and collaboration platform, built for government agencies and defense contractors. It has FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency and a listing on the FedRAMP Marketplace, and it also supports CMMC compliance for companies that work with the Department of Defense.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency
• Listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace
• Supports CMMC Level 2 and NIST 800-171 requirements
• ISO 27001
• GDPR and CCPA

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: EgnyteGov runs in its own secure environment, separate from Egnyte's regular commercial customers, so agency and contractor data is kept apart from everyday business accounts.
  ‍
  
  
• Security features: Files are encrypted at rest and in transit, and the platform includes tools that help spot and stop accidental data leaks before they happen.
  ‍
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and standard federal reseller channels.
  ‍
  
  
• Other considerations: Egnyte is a strong fit for agencies and contractors that work with large engineering, architecture, or construction files, since it can store data in the cloud and on local servers at the same time. It is best suited to moderate-level workloads rather than the most sensitive, high-level data.

‍

8. FileCloud (FileCloud FedRAMP High)

FileCloud FedRAMP High is a secure file sharing and storage platform built specifically for federal agencies and defense contractors. It has FedRAMP High authorization, the highest level available, and runs on AWS GovCloud infrastructure.
‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP High
• Supports CMMC and DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements
• NIST 800-171 and 800-172
• FIPS 140-2/140-3
• ITAR

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: FileCloud FedRAMP High runs inside AWS GovCloud, which keeps agency data on US based infrastructure built for government use. It also offers a self-hosted version, so an agency can keep data entirely on its own servers if that is a stricter requirement.
  ‍
  
  
• Security features: All files are encrypted at rest and in transit, with an option to run in FIPS mode for extra-strong cryptography. It also includes role-based access controls and detailed audit logs so admins can see who touched what.
  ‍
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and federal reseller partners.
  ‍
  
  
• Other considerations: FileCloud stands out among file sharing tools for reaching
  FedRAMP High rather than Moderate, so it is worth highlighting for agencies handling CUI or ITAR-controlled data specifically. It also gives agencies the choice between a fully managed cloud version and a self-hosted one, which is less common among competitors.
  ‍

9. Kiteworks (Secure Gov Cloud)

Kiteworks Secure Gov Cloud is a secure platform for storing, sending, and sharing sensitive files. It has held FedRAMP Moderate authorization since 2017, and its higher tier has now reached FedRAMP High Ready status, meaning it is close to full High-level authorization.
‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP Moderate (authorized since 2017)
• FedRAMP High Ready (Secure GovCloud)
• Supports CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-171 requirements
• FIPS 140-3 validated
• StateRAMP compatible

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Kiteworks runs on a dedicated, single-tenant server that is kept separate from every other customer. This means no other organization, not even Kiteworks itself, holds the encryption keys to an agency's files, so control stays fully with the agency.
  ‍
  
  
• Security features: Every file is encrypted at rest and in transit, with detailed audit logs showing exactly who accessed a file, when, and from where.
  ‍
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and standard federal reseller channels.
  ‍
• Other considerations: Kiteworks is a good choice for agencies that need to safely exchange sensitive files with outside partners, such as contractors or other government bodies, since it is built around tracking and controlling that kind of external sharing. Agencies needing full FedRAMP High today, not just Ready status, should confirm current authorization progress before committing.
  ‍

10. IBM Cloud Object Storage (IBM Cloud for Government)

IBM Cloud Object Storage is IBM's service for storing large amounts of data in the cloud. Government customers can use it through IBM Cloud for Government, which is approved for FedRAMP Moderate and runs out of IBM's dedicated federal data centers.

‍

Compliance & certifications

• FedRAMP Moderate
• IBM Cloud for Government holds a Provisional Authorization to Operate from the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board
• Built-in encryption and access controls

‍

Key Cloud Storage Considerations for Government

• Data residency and sovereignty: Data stored through IBM Cloud for Government stays inside IBM's dedicated federal data centers, located in Colorado and North Carolina, rather than IBM's regular commercial data centers. This gives agencies a clear, fixed answer about where their information physically lives.
  ‍
  
  
• Security features: Data is encrypted by default, with access controls to manage who can view or change stored files, and automatic backups to protect against data loss.
  ‍
  
  
• Procurement vehicles: Available through GSA Schedule and IBM's federal sales and reseller channels.
  ‍
  
  
• Other considerations: IBM offers different storage classes, such as Standard, Vault, and Cold Vault, so agencies can pick cheaper storage for data they rarely access and faster storage for data they use often. This makes it a solid option for agencies that need to store both active files and long-term archives in one place.

‍

Looking for a Cloud Storage Platform? Relay Can Help!

Relay by Pursuit is the only government cloud storage reseller that helps agencies see the bigger picture. We don’t just hand over quotes from different vendors and stop there. Our AI tools scan hundreds of thousands of purchase orders (POs), FOIA records, and public documents to uncover what other agencies actually paid and negotiated.

‍

Here's what that means for your next cloud storage purchase:

‍

• Know the market: Discover pricing and contract terms secured by comparable government agencies.
• Look beyond storage fees: Evaluate implementation costs, data transfer charges, renewal terms, and potential escalators.
• Find the right fit: Explore cloud storage solutions from vetted vendors that match your agency's security, compliance, and operational needs.

‍

Don't just move your data to the cloud. Make sure you're getting a deal worth defending. Talk to Us

‍