FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a U.S. government-wide program that standardizes security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by federal agencies.

Established by the Office of Management and Budget, the program creates a unified framework where cloud service providers undergo one comprehensive security review that any federal agency can accept, eliminating duplicate assessments across government departments.

The program operates under the General Services Administration's Program Management Office using a "do once, use many" model that transforms how agencies procure and secure cloud services. This approach accelerates cloud adoption while maintaining consistent security standards based on NIST Special Publication 800-53 controls tailored specifically for cloud environments.

FedRAMP functions through a structured process that combines initial security assessment, formal authorization, and ongoing continuous monitoring to maintain security posture over time.

Here's how the FedRAMP authorization process operates:

• Security Assessment Phase: Cloud service providers work with accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs) that conduct comprehensive security testing against NIST 800-53 controls, documenting findings in a Security Assessment Report that identifies any gaps requiring remediation before authorization.

• Authorization Decision: Vendors pursue authorization through either the Joint Authorization Board (JAB), which provides government-wide provisional authorization, or through an individual agency sponsor that grants an Authority to Operate (ATO) that other agencies can subsequently leverage.

• Continuous Monitoring: After authorization, providers must maintain their security posture through monthly vulnerability scans, quarterly reporting, and annual reassessments, with any significant changes or incidents reported to maintain their authorized status in the FedRAMP Marketplace.

FedRAMP categorizes cloud services into three impact levels based on the potential harm from data compromise, with each level requiring progressively more stringent security controls.

Low-impact systems handle public information or non-sensitive data where unauthorized disclosure would cause limited adverse effects:

• Control Requirements: Low-impact systems must implement a specific number of security controls from the NIST 800-53 catalog, focusing on fundamental security practices that protect the basic integrity and availability of the system.

• Typical Use Cases: Public-facing websites, collaboration tools handling non-sensitive information, and systems processing publicly available data typically fall into this category, where breach impacts remain minimal.

• Li-SaaS Option: The Low-Impact Software as a Service (Li-SaaS) track further streamlines requirements to roughly 50 controls for simple cloud applications, providing an accelerated path for vendors with straightforward, low-risk services.

Moderate-impact systems protect sensitive information, including personally identifiable information (PII) and controlled unclassified information, where compromise could result in serious adverse effects. These may include the following:

• Control Requirements: Moderate systems implement approximately 325 security controls, adding layers of protection for data confidentiality, integrity monitoring, and advanced access management beyond low impact requirements.

• Typical Use Cases: Most federal cloud services fall into this category, including systems handling citizen data, financial information, procurement data, and other sensitive but unclassified government information.

• Market Prevalence: The moderate level represents the most common authorization tier, balancing comprehensive security requirements with practical implementation considerations for typical government cloud applications.

High-impact systems protect information where unauthorized access could cause severe or catastrophic effects on agency operations, assets, or individuals:

• Control Requirements: High-impact authorization requires approximately 425 controls, incorporating advanced security measures for systems handling law enforcement data, health records, emergency response systems, or mission-critical infrastructure.

• Enhanced Monitoring: These systems are subject to more stringent continuous monitoring requirements, including more frequent assessments and heightened scrutiny of security changes and incidents.

• Limited Applicability: Few commercial cloud services pursue high-impact authorization due to the extensive requirements, with most high-sensitivity government systems remaining in dedicated government facilities.

Understanding FedRAMP requires familiarity with the governance bodies and processes that manage and operate the program.

The program operates through collaborative governance involving multiple federal entities that each contribute specialized expertise:

• Joint Authorization Board (JAB): The JAB comprises chief information officers from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and General Services Administration who review and grant provisional authorizations for cloud services with broad government applicability.

• Program Management Office (PMO): Operating within GSA, the PMO manages daily program operations, maintains the FedRAMP Marketplace, develops policy guidance, and coordinates between agencies, vendors, and assessment organizations.

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB): OMB established the program through policy memoranda and continues providing strategic oversight to ensure alignment with federal IT modernization goals and cybersecurity priorities.

• Supporting Organizations: NIST develops the underlying security standards and control baselines, while DHS manages continuous monitoring strategies and coordinates the sharing of threat information across authorized cloud services.

Vendors can pursue FedRAMP authorization through two primary pathways, each offering distinct advantages:

• JAB Provisional ATO: The Joint Authorization Board reviews select high-priority services each cycle, granting provisional authorizations that any agency can leverage, though this path typically requires nine to eighteen months and accepts limited applicants.

• Agency ATO: Individual agencies sponsor vendors through the authorization process, often completing in six to twelve months, with the resulting authorization package available for reuse by other agencies after additional review.

• Readiness Assessment: Before pursuing either path, vendors can complete a Readiness Assessment Report to achieve "FedRAMP Ready" status, demonstrating a baseline level of preparation that helps agencies evaluate partnership potential.

Ready to enhance your cloud security for federal compliance? Book a demo to see how Abnormal strengthens your security architecture.