Compliance Framework

FedRAMP

Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program - The Standardized Security Assessment for Cloud Services Used by Federal Agencies

FedRAMP is a US government program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by federal agencies. Developed in collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Defense (DoD), FedRAMP replaces the previous practice of each agency conducting its own security assessment with a unified, reusable authorization process. FedRAMP offers three impact levels (Low, Moderate, High) corresponding to the sensitivity of data processed. Federal agencies are required to use FedRAMP-authorized cloud services wherever possible, making FedRAMP authorization a prerequisite for selling cloud services to the federal government.

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Key Requirements

FedRAMP Requirements

What you need to know about FedRAMP compliance. Need help getting started?

Implementation of NIST SP 800-53 security controls at the appropriate impact level (Low, Moderate, or High)
Development of a comprehensive System Security Plan (SSP) with control implementation narratives and artifacts
Engagement with a FedRAMP-accredited Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) for independent evaluation
Establish continuous monitoring program with monthly and quarterly reporting to the FedRAMP PMO
One year of operating evidence demonstrating effective control operation before authorization
Implementation of FedRAMP-specific requirements including incident response coordination, configuration management, and vulnerability scanning
Maintenance of an authorization package including SSP, SAP, SAR, POA&M, and all supporting evidence documents
Annual assessment and continuous monitoring throughout the authorization lifecycle
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Why It Matters

Key Benefits

Why FedRAMP compliance matters for your business and how it protects your operations, customers, and growth.

Access the $100+ billion federal IT market. Cloud service providers without FedRAMP authorization are effectively locked out of the federal market. FedRAMP authorization is the key that opens the door to federal, state, and local government contracts.

Reuse your authorization across multiple agencies. Once a cloud service is FedRAMP authorized, any federal agency can use it without conducting its own security assessment, dramatically reducing the sales cycle from years to months.

Build a security program that meets the most stringent US government standards. FedRAMP controls are based on NIST SP 800-53, the most comprehensive security control catalog in US government. Achieving FedRAMP builds a security program that satisfies virtually any customer security requirement.

Create a competitive advantage in the federal marketplace. With fewer than 300 FedRAMP-authorized services and thousands of cloud providers seeking federal business, authorization provides significant differentiation and preferred status in agency procurement evaluations.

Who It's For

Who Needs FedRAMP?

FedRAMP authorization is needed by any cloud service provider (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) that wants to sell cloud services to US federal government agencies. If your cloud service handles federal government data, including FISMA-moderate or FISMA-high data, FedRAMP is required. State and local governments, as well as regulated industries, increasingly reference FedRAMP as a preferred or required security standard. Cloud providers serving the DoD may additionally need Impact Level (IL) authorization from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

How We Help

Our Approach to FedRAMP

We guide you through the entire compliance lifecycle. From gap analysis to audit support, we make compliance manageable.

01

FedRAMP readiness assessment to determine your current security posture against the required impact level controls. We assess your cloud service architecture, existing controls, and documentation to estimate the effort and timeline for authorization.

02

System Security Plan development and authorization package preparation. We develop the complete FedRAMP authorization package including SSP with all control narratives, policies, procedures, and supporting artifacts required for 3PAO review.

03

3PAO selection and readiness support. We help you select an accredited Third Party Assessment Organization, prepare for the assessment, review findings, and address control gaps before the formal assessment begins.

04

Continuous monitoring program establishment including automated evidence collection, monthly/quarterly reporting, vulnerability management, and incident response procedures aligned with FedRAMP requirements.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get FedRAMP authorized?
FedRAMP authorization typically takes 12-24 months from start to full authorization. The timeline depends on the impact level, current security maturity, and authorization path (JAB, Agency, or FedRAMP Ready). FedRAMP Ready can be achieved in 3-6 months and signals readiness to agencies. Full authorization at Moderate level for an organization with mature security controls typically takes 12-18 months.
What are the different FedRAMP authorization paths?
There are three paths: (1) JAB authorization through the Joint Authorization Board for services with broad demand across multiple agencies, (2) Agency authorization where a single federal agency sponsors and authorizes the service, and (3) FedRAMP Ready, a pre-authorization designation indicating readiness for assessment. JAB is the most rigorous but provides the broadest acceptance.
What is the difference between FedRAMP Moderate and FedRAMP High?
FedRAMP Moderate authorizes cloud services to process controlled unclassified information (CUI) and most federal government data. FedRAMP High is required for services handling data that could result in catastrophic impact if compromised, such as law enforcement sensitive data, critical infrastructure systems, or personally identifiable information in large volumes. High adds approximately 100 additional controls beyond Moderate.
What is the cost of FedRAMP authorization?
Total cost ranges from $1-5 million depending on the impact level, authorization path, and current security maturity. This includes assessment costs ($200K-$500K for 3PAO), internal engineering and documentation effort, and ongoing continuous monitoring costs. While significant, this investment is recouped through federal contracts that are inaccessible without authorization.

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