# Microsoft and Red Hat Achieve DoD IL5 Certification

Microsoft and Red Hat have secured Department of Defense Impact Level 5 (IL5) certification for their Azure Red Hat OpenShift platform on Microsoft Azure Government. This certification authorizes U.S. federal agencies to deploy containerized applications that handle highly sensitive and mission-critical data within a secure, compliant cloud environment. Building on prior IL4 approval, the IL5 certification reflects adherence to stringent DoD security standards, expanding opportunities for government contractors to support secure cloud-native application development and modernization efforts.

- **Why this matters:** IL5 certification enables federal agencies to accelerate secure cloud adoption for sensitive workloads, increasing demand for compliant cloud platforms and related services.
- Procurement professionals should note the enhanced compliance credentials of Azure Red Hat OpenShift, which may influence contract requirements and vendor evaluations.
- Contractors specializing in secure containerized applications and cloud modernization can leverage this certification to position offerings for DoD and other regulated federal agencies.
- The expanded regional availability of the platform supports agencies' needs for secure, compliant cloud services across multiple locations, including Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, North Carolina.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cloud Services, Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Department of War (DOW)

### Vendors
- Red Hat (prime contractor)
- Microsoft (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> Government agencies share the same core mission as any enterprise IT: delivering high-quality innovation to end-users quickly. However, managing highly sensitive government data often creates unique operational hurdles. Azure Red Hat OpenShift for Microsoft Azure Government helps solve this challenge, allowing agencies to accelerate the deployment of cloud-native applications without compromising stringent, lifecycle-wide security. By deepening our collaboration with Microsoft, we give public sector organizations the ultimate flexibility and choice to run mission-critical workloads in the environment that best fits their unique regulatory needs.
> — Chris Smith, Vice President, North American Government Sales, Red Hat

> Achieving Department of Defense Impact Level 5 certification for Azure Red Hat OpenShift for Microsoft Azure Government represents a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting mission-critical government workloads. This certification enables federal agencies to innovate faster with containerized applications while meeting the highest security standards for sensitive data. Our expanded regional availability further demonstrates Microsoft's dedication to providing secure, compliant cloud services where government agencies need them most.
> — Leigh Madden, Vice President, National Security, Microsoft

### Sources
- [Microsoft Azure Red Hat OpenShift for Microsoft Azure Government Achieves IL5 Certification](https://www.01net.it/microsoft-azure-red-hat-openshift-for-microsoft-azure-government-achieves-il5-certification) - 01net
- [Azure Red Hat OpenShift Gov Platform Earns IL5 Certification](https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/azure-red-hat-openshift-dow-il5-certification) - ExecutiveBiz