FedRAMP Explained: 10 Essential Facts for Government Agencies
FedRAMP is a critical component of the federal government's move to cloud computing and provides a framework for agencies to evaluate and select cloud service providers.
If your government agency is considering using cloud computing services, you need to be familiar with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program designed to provide a standardized approach for assessing, monitoring, and authorizing cloud computing products and services. FedRAMP is a critical component of the federal government's move to cloud computing and provides a framework for agencies to evaluate and select cloud service providers. Here are 10 essential facts about FedRAMP that every government agency should know:
1. Mandatory for Federal Agencies
All federal agencies that use cloud computing services are required to comply with FedRAMP. If your agency uses cloud services, you must follow the standardized security controls established by FedRAMP.
2. Standardized Security Controls
FedRAMP establishes a baseline of security controls that cloud service providers must meet. These security controls are based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53. By ensuring that cloud providers meet these standards, FedRAMP helps to ensure the security of government data in the cloud.
3. Time and Resource Savings
FedRAMP reduces duplication of effort and saves time and resources by enabling agencies to reuse assessments and authorizations across multiple agencies. This means that if another agency has already authorized a cloud provider, your agency may be able to use that authorization instead of conducting redundant security assessments.
4. Three Impact Levels
FedRAMP is divided into three impact levels: Low, Moderate, and High, with each level requiring different security controls. The security levels are based on the potential impact that certain events would have on an organization’s ability to accomplish its assigned mission, protect its assets, fulfill its legal responsibilities, maintain its day-to-day functions, and protect individuals.
5. Authorization Period
FedRAMP authorizes cloud service providers to operate at a specified impact level for one year. Each year, providers must undergo an annual assessment to reevaluate the providers security posture.
6. Initial Assessment and Continuous Monitoring
Cloud service providers must undergo an initial security assessment to become authorized by FedRAMP. Once authorized, they must also undergo continuous monitoring to maintain their authorization. This ensures that providers maintain a high level of security over time.
7. Three-Step Process
FedRAMP uses a three-step process for cloud service providers to achieve authorization: Initiation, Security Assessment, and Authorization. This process helps to ensure that providers meet the necessary security controls before they are authorized to operate.
8. Third-Party Assessment Organizations
FedRAMP requires cloud service providers to be assessed by independent third-party assessment organizations (3PAOs) to ensure that they meet the necessary security controls. This helps to ensure that the assessment process is objective and unbiased.
9. Single Authorization Package
FedRAMP provides a single security authorization package that can be used by multiple agencies. This saves time and resources by eliminating the need for agencies to conduct redundant security assessments.
10. Collaborative Effort
FedRAMP is a collaborative effort between the General Services Administration (GSA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Federal Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council. This collaboration ensures that FedRAMP aligns with the needs of government agencies and the best practices in government security.
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