Guide to Salesforce Government Cloud
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Salesforce Government Cloud is designed to support organizations operating in the public sector. That’s right, Salesforce provides a super secure and compliant platform that allows organizations to maximize their return on investment in technology with these key results:
With these digital improvements, organizations support citizens with better programs and systems while still complying with strict regulations. So, join us in the article below to find out more about Government Cloud and how it can fully support your public sector organization.
Let’s get started!
What is Salesforce Government Cloud?
With Salesforce Government Cloud products, organizations can continue to innovate on systems securely while being compliant with regulations.
For example, Government Cloud gives the United States government and contractors the following qualities and resources for managing data:
Additionally, Government Cloud helps organizations comply with the following:
- IRS 1075: Tax Information Security Guidelines for Federal, State, and Local Agencies.
- FedRAMP High: Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program for using secure cloud services in the federal government.
- DoD Impact Levels: Department of Defense Impact Levels
- Top Secret Regulations From Countries
Salesforce Government Cloud Plus Vs. Government Cloud Plus – Defense
There are actually three editions for Government Cloud:
Out of these three options, Salesforce does not give details on the features from Government Cloud Plus – Premium. So, if you would like to know more about this platform, please contact the company via its official website.
However, we have information on Salesforce’s Government Cloud Plus and its middle-tier offering, Government Cloud Plus – Defense. Both of these platforms generally have the same features offered to users, but there are a few differences. Check out the table below to quickly scan the extra features that Government Cloud Plus – Defense provides (that is unavailable in Government Cloud Plus):
| Government Cloud Plus – Defense Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Security & Compliance | DoD Impact Level 5 |
| Data Security | Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) |
| Data Security | Unclassified National Security Systems |
| Physical & Network Controls | A Physically Isolated Environment |
| Physical & Network Controls | DISA Authorized BCAP Connection |
| Physical & Network Controls | NIPRNet IP Available |
| Physical & Network Controls | Integration with DoD Email Security Gateway |
| Physical & Network Controls | salesforce.mil URL Available |
Benefits of Salesforce Government Cloud
There are some powerful organizations that have signed up for Government Cloud to complete missions, such as:
These public sector organizations have easily scaled their systems and applications securely with Government Cloud. No doubt, it is a trusted platform built on AWS GovCloud (U.S.) to keep up with the strictest government security and compliance rules in the United States.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits a public sector organization can receive when signing up for Government Cloud.
#1 Improved Compliance and Security
Number one on our list for benefits in the public sector has to be compliance and security. So, how does Government Cloud make processes faster for these organizations that need to comply with strict rules and regulations? Well Government Cloud knows how to keep data safe in a single environment solely for U.S. government agencies and contractors.
With data kept safe and ticked off the requirements list, public sector organizations can work on and process their data confidently, knowing that their practices will comply with the following:
#2 Enhanced Engagement
The next benefit of joining the Salesforce ecosystem is that it offers organizations success programs and 1-on-1 engagements. These programs can be accessed via Salesforce Accelerators or Success Managers. Here professionals find resources and recommendations on how to get ready for releases.
Additionally, there is the AppExchange marketplace, where an organization can find third-party apps to integrate into Salesforce. These applications have been tested to work smoothly with Government Cloud Plus, extend functionality for your projects, and can boost engagement with your target audience.
#3 Increased Efficiency
With Government Cloud, public sector organizations get the benefit of pre-built software solutions designed specifically for their industry. These useful pieces of software allows organizations to launch applications and programs faster. But how?
The answer is that Government Cloud gives administrators the chance to build applications without code!
For example, applications can be built for government services with a mouse and no-code tools using the following Salesforce elements as a foundation:
As a result, developers and administrators in the government sector can enjoy a platform that is constantly updated with the latest technologies to support those pre-built apps. You will be happy to hear that Salesforce releases updates and bug fixes three times a year. This is to keep the platform automatically upgraded in real time so organizations have the tools they need to keep data secure while creating the best experiences for users.
#4 Collaboration
The next benefit of Government Cloud is that it makes collaborating with colleagues easier. For example, organizations can connect with the Salesforce ecosystem to get advice from the following professionals in the industry:
And when it comes to internal collaboration, coworkers can communicate with each other using the Salesforce and Slack integration. Slack is a well-known business tool, and with it connected to Government Cloud, coworkers can connect daily with each other, share organizational tools, and access data from these various groups:
#5 Scalability
To scale an organization, data and processes must be managed well. Thanks to AI and other software tools, processes can be automated to run faster without the need of human involvement. If it is your public sector goal to scale operations and programs, then you must consider API adoption.
This will allow organizations to collect and consolidate all data across multiple sources into Salesforce. However, organizations also need to plan how to automate processes well. A solid option to assist with these two strategies at the same time is to connect MuleSoft to Government Cloud.
The benefit of adding MuleSoft to your software stack is that it extends Government Cloud’s functionality to include:
With these capabilities, organizations can break data silos across all departments and streamline processes for all teams, allowing humans to focus on creative or higher-level tasks.
#6 Data-Driven Decision Making
With technology like Salesforce Government Cloud, agencies get to reach and support more people. We see that in the benefit that Government Cloud gives organizations for decision-making. Thanks to powerful tools, researchers obtain real-time insights from analyzing data in Salesforce.
Then, key decision makers can use the insights to:
One example of using Government Cloud well is when public clinics need to monitor the spread of diseases. For example, a public clinic can use the platform to analyze data and allocate resources where needed. In this way, Government Cloud supports the community by allowing health professionals to make life-saving decisions on time.
#7 Cost Efficiency
Our last benefit for Government Cloud concerns cost efficiency. Since the platform can be a central location for all data and automates processes, it can save an organization money in the long run. As there will be no need for manual tasks performed by human workers thanks to automation, redundant systems are eliminated and operational costs are saved. In time, Government Cloud can help organizations use resources better while providing high-quality services to the public.
Salesforce Government Cloud Certification
The benefits of signing up for Government Cloud are clear, but what skills do you need to use it correctly? We explore the answer below.
At the time of writing this article, we could not find a “Salesforce Government Cloud certification.” However, if you are in the public sector industry and your organization uses Salesforce to manage data and processes, then take a look at Trailhead. It’s a free learning platform hosted by Salesforce where you get to choose the modules you want to study.
All you need to do is sign up for a profile and create learning journeys based on the following criteria:
When it comes to Government Cloud, we recommend two modules on Trailhead, both of which are under 60 minutes to complete. Let’s dive a bit deeper into both modules to explore the value they contribute to professionals in the public sector.
Public Sector Data Security in the Cloud
This module is worth 400 points on Trailhead and takes only 40 minutes to complete. The material in this module focuses on cybersecurity and is considered an intermediate-level course. When you complete this Public Sector Data Security in the Cloud module, you should be able to understand how to manage data in the following ways:
Here is a breakdown of the topics covered in the module:
- Get to Know the Public Sector – 10 minutes
- Identify Insider Threats to Public Sector Data – 10 minutes
- Implement Access Control and Encryption – 10 minutes
- Secure Public Sector Data – 10 minutes
Public Sector Solutions Basics
The second module that could help you is the Public Sector Solutions Basics module. It only takes 25 minutes to complete and gives you a total of 300 points. It’s a beginner-level course that is suitable for administrators who want to explore Salesforce’s public sector solutions and how they make processes for government agencies faster.
Here is a breakdown of the topics covered in the module:
- Meet Public Sector Solutions – 10 minutes
- Discover the Public Sector Solutions Advantage – 5 minutes
- Get to Know the Public Sector Solutions Users – 10 minutes
Administer Public Sector Solutions
Alternatively, you could complete the Administer Public Sector Solutions trail worth 1 600 points. Longer than modules, the trail takes just under four hours for those beginner administrators to finish. It’s an ideal course for individuals who want to transform manual government processes into digital ones to increase efficiency for employees.
Here is a breakdown of the topics covered in the trail:
- Public Sector Solutions Basics – 25 minutes
- Admin Essentials for Public Sector Solutions – 1 hour 25 minutes
- Approval Process for Public Sector Solutions – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Public Sector Solutions Design and Architecture – 15 minutes
Salesforce Government Cloud Pricing
So far we have learned about Government Cloud and its benefits. We also know that building apps on this platform ensures data and projects are secure and can scale easily. Government organizations are fond of this FedRAMP-authorized platform from Salesforce, as it allows them to create technologically advanced systems that meet strict security and compliance rules. But how much will it cost a public sector organization to sign up for Salesforce Government Cloud?
The first step is to choose a Salesforce Government Cloud edition, of which there are three. Let’s take a closer look at them to help you decide which one could meet your financial budget.
Government Cloud Plus
With Government Cloud Plus, organizations get a FedRAMP High-authorized platform to build secure apps. The platform is also powerful enough to scale operations for organizations. The price for Government Cloud is 15%, which is applied to net spending and billed to the organization annually.
Government Cloud Plus – Defense
If you choose to sign up for the Government Cloud Plus – Defense edition, you get a DoD Impact Level-5 authorized platform to build secure applications. For this Government Cloud edition, you can expect to pay 25% applied to net spend. Like the lower tier edition, Government Cloud Plus, the costs are billed annually.
Government Cloud Plus – Premium
The Government Cloud Plus – Premium edition is a Top Secret authorized platform for building secure applications. It’s ideal for those public sector organizations that need air-gapped infrastructure. Let’s not forget Government Cloud is a premium platform that meets the strict compliance and security requirements of the United States intelligence community.
If you need a dedicated platform with these capabilities, contact Salesforce directly for their pricing plans.
Serving the Public with Salesforce Government Cloud
That’s a wrap of our take on Salesforce Government Cloud. Thanks for reading our article. In it, we explored what Government Cloud is, including the differences between its editions on offer to the public sector. Then, we discussed seven benefits an organization could receive for signing up for Salesforce Government Cloud and what you need to study to understand the platform better. We then ended the article by discussing the different pricing costs of Salesforce Government Cloud editions.
We hope this information helped you in discovering whether Government Cloud is the right software solution for your specific organizational needs.
Titan for Salesforce Integration, Data Collection, and Compliance
If you are interested in extending your Government Cloud tools and features, we highly recommend Titan. Our no-code platform integrates directly into Salesforce to connect any web project to your system.
Use Titan to create surveys, forms, portals, or documents that push and pull data into Salesforce in real time. We understand that data from the public is essential for any mission or report to support key decision-making.
So, like Government Cloud, Titan takes data security very seriously. From the physical infrastructure to the application infrastructure and up to the user-level management, security is at the forefront of Titan’s design. Security safeguards have been designed to keep our customer data safe and secure.
Titan is hosted on the AWS Cloud platform and is maintained with 99.999% uptime. We use a Linux-based virtual machine and various AWS services to offer high performance and availability. The AWS infrastructure puts strong safeguards in place to help protect customer privacy.
All data is stored in highly secure AWS data centers, and Titan is compliant with HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO, GDPR, and other leading frameworks.
Reach out to us for more information on our no-code platform that can collect data and automate organizational processes for your Salesforce Government Cloud. We have the right point-and-click tools to build portals, forms, Salesforce generated documents, e-Signature agreements, and more. So, contact Titan to help your organization solve any use case using zero code and minimal resources.
See you soon!
Disclaimer: The comparisons listed in this article are based on information provided by the companies online and online reviews from users. If you found a mistake, please contact us
