Microsoft 365 vs ShieldBox
for Government & Public Sector
in Australia
Government agencies and contractors cannot use Microsoft 365 for OFFICIAL: Sensitive communications. See why Australian government entities are switching to ShieldBox for PSPF and ASD Essential Eight compliance.
Microsoft 365 is powerful but cannot satisfy APRA CPS 234 or ASD Essential Eight requirements for Australian government and regulated sector use. CLOUD Act exposure persists regardless of data residency settings.
Key Risks for Government & Public Sector
Using Microsoft 365
Compliance Obligations for Government & Public Sector
Why Microsoft 365 cannot satisfy the compliance requirements of Australian government & public sector.
Microsoft 365 is a USA-based service subject to USA law. PSPF mandates Australian data residency and ASD Essential Eight compliance for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. Microsoft 365 cannot satisfy these requirements.
Microsoft 365 does not meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government email. ASD Essential Eight compliance is required for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. ShieldBox is built to ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2.
Microsoft 365 is subject to USA law. US CLOUD Act (or equivalent) allows authorities to compel access to government data stored anywhere in the world — including in Australian data centres. This is incompatible with PSPF requirements.
Microsoft 365 does not provide the ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2-3 controls required for government email — including DMARC enforcement, phishing-resistant MFA, and 7-year audit logging.
Why ShieldBox Wins for Government & Public Sector
ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government use — satisfying PSPF, ISM, and ASD Essential Eight requirements that Microsoft 365 cannot meet, with full Australian data sovereignty.
Microsoft 365 vs ShieldBox for Government & Public Sector — FAQs
Can Australian government agencies use Microsoft 365?
No. Microsoft 365 is a USA-based service subject to USA law. PSPF mandates Australian data residency and ASD Essential Eight compliance for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. Microsoft 365 cannot satisfy these requirements. ShieldBox is built to ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2.
Does Microsoft 365 meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government use?
No. Microsoft 365 does not meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government email. ASD Essential Eight compliance is required for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information under the PSPF. ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government compliance.
What ASD Essential Eight maturity level does Microsoft 365 support?
Microsoft 365 does not provide the ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2-3 controls required for government email. ShieldBox includes DMARC enforcement, phishing-resistant MFA, and 7-year audit logging as standard — supporting Maturity Level 2-3 implementation.
Why are Australian government agencies switching from Microsoft 365 to ShieldBox?
Australian government agencies are switching from Microsoft 365 to ShieldBox to satisfy PSPF data sovereignty requirements, meet ASD Essential Eight obligations, and achieve Maturity Level 2-3. ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government compliance with full data sovereignty.
Switch from Microsoft 365 to ShieldBox
Start for free — no credit card, no US servers, no CLOUD Act exposure. Built for Australian government & public sector.