FedRAMP Compliance Services

FedRAMP compliance refers to a set of rigorous security standards that must be met by cloud service providers (CSPs) who want to provide cloud services to government agencies. The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) was created to provide a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by the federal government.

The FedRAMP program was established in 2011 to streamline the security assessment and authorization process for cloud products and services used by the federal government. FedRAMP compliance requires CSPs to implement a variety of security controls and best practices to protect sensitive government data stored and processed in the cloud. The FedRAMP requirements cover areas such as access control, incident response, configuration management, and more.

The goal of FedRAMP compliance is to ensure that cloud services used by government agencies meet strict security standards and are capable of protecting sensitive government data from unauthorized access, disclosure, and theft. By using FedRAMP-compliant cloud services, government agencies can reduce their risk of data breaches and other security incidents.

If you are a cloud service provider looking to provide cloud services to government agencies, FedRAMP compliance is a crucial requirement. CyberCrest offers specialized FedRAMP consulting services designed to help CSPs navigate the complex FedRAMP compliance process and achieve authorization to operate (ATO) from the federal government. Our team of experts has extensive experience in FedRAMP compliance and can provide guidance on everything from initial assessment to ongoing monitoring and reporting.

The FedRAMP certification process is a comprehensive and rigorous security assessment that evaluates the security of cloud products and services. The process involves three main steps: Initiation, Security Assessment, and Authorization.

The Initiation phase involves a preliminary assessment of the cloud product or service and its associated risks. During this phase, the cloud service provider (CSP) identifies a FedRAMP-accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) to perform the security assessment.

The Security Assessment phase involves a detailed security assessment of the cloud product or service, including the physical, administrative, and technical security controls implemented by the CSP. The 3PAO will conduct this assessment and document their findings in a Security Assessment Report (SAR).

The Authorization phase involves the review and approval of the SAR by the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) or an agency authorizing official. The JAB or authorizing official will determine if the cloud product or service meets the FedRAMP security requirements and is authorized for use by government agencies.

CyberCrest offers specialized FedRAMP consulting services to help vendors achieve FedRAMP certification. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can help vendors navigate the complex certification process. We offer a range of services, including readiness assessments, security control gap analyses, and security control implementation support. Additionally, we can provide assistance with documentation and communication with the 3PAO, JAB, and authorizing officials.

The FedRAMP authorization process involves four key steps: Initiation, Security Assessment, Remediation, and Ongoing Assessment and Authorization. To achieve FedRAMP compliance, cloud service providers (CSPs) must implement a set of security controls that are based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53, which covers a wide range of security and privacy controls. In addition to NIST 800-53 controls, the FedRAMP program also requires additional controls and documentation to be implemented.

Some of the important NIST 800-53 controls that organizations need to implement include access controls, contingency planning, incident response, system and communications protection, and configuration management. These controls are designed to protect against various types of threats and vulnerabilities, including cyber attacks, data breaches, and system failures.

The most important document required for FedRAMP compliance is the System Security Plan (SSP), which provides a comprehensive overview of the security controls implemented by a CSP. The SSP must include information security policies and procedures, digital identity worksheet, privacy impact assessment, information system contingency plan, configuration management plan, and incident response plan, among other required attachments.

To achieve FedRAMP compliance, organizations must also implement other important documents such as a contingency plan, a rules of behavior document, and a continuous monitoring strategy. These documents help to ensure that CSPs have effective plans in place to address security incidents, manage risks, and maintain compliance with FedRAMP requirements.

At CyberCrest, we specialize in helping organizations navigate the complex requirements of FedRAMP and build a roadmap for FedRAMP readiness. Our team of experts has extensive experience in the field of cybersecurity and can assist organizations with the development of the required documentation and controls necessary for FedRAMP compliance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve FedRAMP compliance and maintain a secure and compliant cloud environment.

FedRAMP Impact Levels are important for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) who are interested in selling their services to government agencies. The levels classify cloud systems according to the potential risk and impact they pose to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information they process, store, and transmit. There are four levels of impact, each with their own set of controls: Low, Moderate, High, and the new FedRAMP Tailored Low-Impact Software as a Service (LI-SaaS).

Low Impact is the appropriate FedRAMP baseline for cloud systems where a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability would result in limited adverse effects on a government agency’s operations, assets, or individuals.

Moderate Impact is most appropriate for CSOs where the loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability would result in serious adverse effect on a government agency’s operations, assets, or individuals.

High Impact data is usually in Law Enforcement and Emergency Services systems, Financial systems, Health systems, and any other system where loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability could be expected to have a severe or catastrophic adverse effect on organizational operations, organizational assets, or individuals.

FedRAMP Tailored LI-SaaS is designed for CSPs who offer low-impact software as a service solutions that have a limited scope of operation and that are designed for a specific government agency or group of agencies. This new FedRAMP program was created to reduce the burden of compliance for smaller CSPs who offer cloud solutions that are not as complex as those required for Moderate or High Impact systems.

The FedRAMP Impact Levels are based on the potential risk and impact of a cloud system, which is determined by an impact analysis that takes into account the types of information processed by the system, the number of users accessing the system, and the sensitivity of the information. As a CSP, it is important to understand the FedRAMP Impact Levels and the controls that must be implemented for each level, including the new FedRAMP Tailored LI-SaaS, in order to successfully sell your services to government agencies. CyberCrest can help your CSP navigate the complex process of achieving FedRAMP compliance and achieving authorization for your cloud services. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can help your CSP develop a roadmap to FedRAMP compliance and authorization. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your CSP sell to government agencies with confidence.

An Authorization to Operate (ATO) is a formal declaration by a government agency that a cloud service provider (CSP) has met the necessary security requirements to operate a cloud system on behalf of the agency. There are two types of ATO: Provisional ATO (P-ATO) and ATO.

A Provisional ATO (P-ATO) is a temporary authorization granted by the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) to a cloud service provider (CSP) for a specific cloud service offering. The JAB is a group of representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the General Services Administration (GSA), who are responsible for providing authorization for cloud services used by multiple agencies. A P-ATO is a pre-authorization that a CSP can use to demonstrate that they meet the security requirements for a cloud service offering, which can then be used as a selling point to individual government agencies. The P-ATO process is faster than the traditional agency ATO process, which can take up to 2 years to complete.

An ATO is a formal authorization granted by a specific government agency to a cloud service provider (CSP) for a specific cloud service offering. This means that the agency has reviewed the CSP’s security documentation, conducted a security assessment, and determined that the CSP meets the necessary security requirements to operate a cloud system on behalf of the agency. The ATO process can be lengthy and complex, as each agency has its own set of security requirements and assessment procedures.

It is important to note that the ATO process for each agency is different and can vary depending on the cloud system being used. For example, the Department of Defense (DoD) has its own unique set of security requirements that must be met for an ATO to be granted, while other agencies may have different requirements. Additionally, the ATO process for cloud services authorized by the JAB is different from the process for cloud services authorized by individual agencies.

At CyberCrest, we understand the complexities of the ATO process and can help your organization navigate the process to achieve authorization to operate in the federal government. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can provide specialized services to help CSPs achieve authorization, whether it be a P-ATO or an ATO from an individual agency. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve authorization to operate in the federal government.

The FedRAMP authorization process can take anywhere from several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the cloud system and the organization’s preparedness. A typical organization with an existing mature information security program based on ISO or NIST 800-171 can expect the process to take around 12-18 months in the best case, with some authorizations taking up to 2 years to complete.

The FedRAMP authorization process involves several stages, including a readiness assessment to identify any areas where the cloud system does not meet FedRAMP requirements, followed by remediation to address those gaps. Once the system is ready, an optional 3PAO readiness assessment may be conducted to obtain the FedRAMP Marketplace “Ready” Designation. This is not required for an ATO, and does not equate to an ATO, but many organizations pursue the marketplace ready designation as the first step to developing a relationship with a sponsoring agency.

Once an organization is ready to initiate the authorization process, A 3PAO will conduct a full security assessment which results in the development of the Security Assessment Report (SAR) and Security Assessment Plan (SAP). The SAR and SAP are then reviewed by the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) before being submitted to the agency for authorization.

The agency authorization process typically takes 4-6 months and involves a review of the SAR and SAP, as well as any other required documentation, to ensure that the cloud system meets the agency’s specific security requirements. Once the agency has granted Authorization to Operate (ATO), the cloud service provider can begin offering their services to the agency.

At CyberCrest, we can help your organization prepare for the FedRAMP authorization process and reduce the time and cost associated with achieving FedRAMP compliance. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can guide you through the entire process, from initial gap assessment to agency authorization. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve FedRAMP compliance and obtain Authorization to Operate (ATO).

The cost of achieving FedRAMP authorization varies greatly depending on the organization’s size, scope of assessment, and the level of impact of the cloud system. The costs can be broken down into several categories:

First, there is the cost of bringing the organization into a compliant state and developing the necessary documentation, such as the System Security Plan (SSP) and other required attachments. CyberCrest provides superior quality at a competitive cost model and can help organizations navigate the complex process of achieving FedRAMP compliance.

Second, there are the 3PAO assessment costs for the security assessment, which are usually more than $100,000, except for Low-Impact Software as a Service (LI-SaaS) systems. The 3PAO assessment includes testing and validating the security controls implemented by the cloud service provider (CSP).

Third, there are the technology implementation costs, which can vary greatly based on the current maturity of the organization’s information security program and the complexity of the cloud system. These costs may include hardware and software upgrades, as well as the implementation of additional security controls.

Finally, after achieving authorization, there are the costs associated with annual continuous monitoring assessments conducted by the 3PAO, which can also vary depending on the level of impact of the cloud system. These assessments are required to maintain the FedRAMP authorization.

At CyberCrest, we can help your organization navigate the complex process of achieving FedRAMP compliance and minimize the costs associated with the process. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can help you develop a roadmap to achieve compliance efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve FedRAMP compliance.

FedRAMP does not require the use of AWS GovCloud or Azure Government for cloud service providers seeking authorization. However, for cloud systems processing High Impact data, FedRAMP requires the use of a government-only community cloud environment such as AWS GovCloud or Azure Government. This is because High Impact systems require the most stringent security controls, and a government-only cloud environment provides additional layers of protection. For Low or Moderate Impact systems, cloud service providers can use commercial cloud environments or government community clouds. The FedRAMP program allows government agencies to choose the cloud service provider that best meets their needs, as long as that provider has achieved FedRAMP authorization. This means that other cloud service providers, such as Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and others, can also be used by government agencies if they meet the FedRAMP requirements.

At CyberCrest, we can help your organization understand the FedRAMP requirements and select a cloud service provider that meets those requirements. Our team of experts has extensive experience in cloud security and can help you navigate the complex process of achieving FedRAMP compliance. We offer specialized services to help organizations of all sizes and types achieve FedRAMP compliance and reduce their risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve FedRAMP compliance.