What is FedRAMP?

In today’s digital age, data security has become a paramount concern for all sectors of society. As governments shift towards digital platforms, the need to protect sensitive information and maintain reliable systems grows. The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) defines and manages a core set of processes to ensure effective, repeatable cloud security for the government. This article will delve into what FedRAMP is, the different levels, and the benefits of the added rigor presented by the regulation.

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, or FedRAMP, is a government-wide program designed to provide a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services. It was established by the General Services Administration (GSA) to reduce the duplicated effort and risk associated with individual federal agencies conducting their security assessments.

FedRAMP brings together the security controls necessary for meeting the cloud security standards listed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to accelerate the government’s secure adoption of cloud solutions, ensuring consistent application of security practices, ability to use data to continuously monitor risks. FedRAMP is an offshoot of a 2002 law called FISMA, which was enacted to protect vital government systems and sensitive data. The regulation gives agencies a framework to partner with CSPs while still meeting their security requirements. FedRAMP only begins with NIST publications.

The NIST specifications are just the starting point. As part of the review process, organizations that achieve FedRAMP Authority to Operate (ATO) must go beyond the baseline requirements to ensure that they can protect sensitive agency information. FedRAMP incorporates controls specific to the security risks inherent in Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), thus validating service providers’ all-inclusive security posture.

The central tenet of FedRAMP is to ensure that all cloud service providers (CSPs) intending to work with U.S. federal agencies uphold the highest security standards. It is built on a catalog of security and privacy controls for all U.S. federal information systems except those related to national security.

FedRAMP is designed to:

• Promote Secure Cloud Adoption: By reusing assessments and authorizations, FedRAMP facilitates a faster transition to secure cloud solutions.
• Boost Confidence in Cloud Security: It enhances trust in the robustness of cloud solutions and their corresponding security evaluations.
• Standardize Security Approvals: FedRAMP ensures a uniform set of benchmarks for cloud product endorsement, whether they fall within or beyond its direct purview.
• Maintain Consistent Security Practices: It upholds the regular application of established security measures.
• Embrace Automation: FedRAMP encourages the automated and timely use of data for ongoing monitoring.

In essence, FedRAMP offers a unified security framework, reducing redundant endeavors. How it works:

• Uniform Baseline: Agencies align their security prerequisites with a standardized benchmark.
• One-time Authorization: A Cloud Service Provider (CSP) undergoes the authorization process once. Upon securing an approval for their Cloud Service Offering (CSO), this authorization can be utilized by any federal body, eliminating repeated efforts.

In sum, FedRAMP paves the way for the federal government to swiftly adopt cloud computing. It does so by introducing clear security authorization standards and procedures, and by empowering agencies to utilize these authorizations on a broader governmental scale.

1. What is FedRAMP?
2. How to Achieve Compliance with FedRAMP (What do solution providers have to go through to receive authorization)
3. Benefits of working with a FedRAMP-certified identity solution
4. Saviynt & FedRAMP
5. Additional Resources

Achieving FedRAMP compliance can be rigorous and complex. Typically, it involves three phases: pre-authorization, authorization, and post-authorization.

1. Pre-Authorization: This initial phase requires CSPs to develop a detailed understanding of FedRAMP requirements. It involves preparatory steps such as reviewing the FedRAMP Security Assessment Framework, selecting a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) for independent verification, and preparing a security package for review.
2. Authorization: The CSP submits its security package to the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) or a federal agency for review. The package includes a System Security Plan, Security Assessment Report, Plan of Action, and Milestones. The reviewing entity then undertakes an in-depth assessment of the CSP’s capabilities to manage and mitigate risks.
3. Post-Authorization: Once approved, the CSP enters a continuous monitoring phase where they must regularly submit security updates to maintain their authorization status. This process helps update security controls as new risks and vulnerabilities emerge.

FedRAMP is tailored to guarantee stringent security compliance for federal agencies. However, its advantages extend beyond government circles. By selecting a FedRAMP-approved CSP, non-governmental entities can reap significant benefits. Here are some compelling reasons:

• Streamlined Security Assessments: Instead of dedicating time and resources to conduct individual security evaluations, organizations can rely on the rigorous standards met by any CSP in the FedRAMP marketplace. This not only ensures adherence to robust security protocols but also reduces overhead costs.
• Pre-vetted Third-party Assessments: Organizations are relieved from the dilemma of selecting an external assessor for the CSP’s systems. FedRAMP has already overseen this, ensuring that the chosen service has undergone a comprehensive review.
• Consistent Security Protocols: If an organization aligns its cloud security measures with those of the federal government, it establishes a uniform standard. This coherence between private and government protocols enhances trust and confidence in an organization’s cloud security framework.
• Swift Transition to Cloud: With the security review already addressed, organizations can expedite their migration to a cloud-native platform, fostering agility and innovation.

In essence, opting for a FedRAMP-co mpliant CSP is not just about meeting federal standards; it’s about leveraging a rigorous security framework to ensure the best for your organization.