Starting the FedRAMP certification process requires thoughtful planning and coordination. In order to store, process, or transmit government data, organizations must follow the rigorous standard set by FedRAMP.
The process can take 6 months, all the way up to a year, demanding audience research, readiness assessments, and security posture review. Achieving FedRAMP certification is a critical proof indicator of the organization’s commitment to the federal standards put into place.
Navigating the intricate FedRAMP landscape requires specialized knowledge and historical success. Reviewing the basic steps of the certification journey prepares cloud providers for the road ahead.
The Importance Of FedRAMP & Who Needs Certification
Launched in 2011, FedRAMP was designed to standardize the security assessment and certification process for cloud products used by federal agencies. At a time when cloud services were just fledgling concepts, federal standards realized quickly that a unified set of controls would be necessary for oversight.
With this baseline in place, FedRAMP ensures agencies can trust the security of cloud offerings from certified vendors.
All Cloud Service Providers selling cloud offerings to U.S. federal agencies must be FedRAMP certified, including international companies providing cloud solutions. Because federal organizations can only use CSOs that are FedRAMP adherent, securing the certification opens up windows into more opportunities with federal agencies.
Additional benefits include:
- A single Authority to Operate to be used across all agencies
- Saving money and time with only one assessment
- Meeting specific needs of CSPs
How To Get FedRAMP Certified
Through agency sponsorship, a federal body works with a CSP to assess, pre-certify, certify, and continue to monitor compliance. The assessment process follows a rigorous set of steps for comprehensive prep and evaluation.
The preparation phase includes a comprehensive System Security Plan (SSP) for the service. Once complete, a FedRAMP-approved 3PAO develops a Security Assessment Plan.
Deeper into the assessment, the organization submits a Security Assessment Report to create a Plan of Action and Milestones. Once security is secured against NIST800-53 controls, additional guidelines are set into action to uphold that new certification.
If the authorizing agency confirms whether the risk described is acceptable, an ATO letter is submitted to the FedRAMP project management office. This allows the provider to be listed in the FedRAMP marketplace.
Continuous monitoring remains in place for monthly security checks for each organization utilizing the CSP, in addition to their yearly certification renewal.
The general timeline includes 1-4 weeks of pre-assessment review, 4 weeks of planning, 7 weeks of assessment activities, 5 weeks of reporting, 2-3 weeks of ATO submission, and finally being listed in the FedRAMP marketplace.
Federal Compliance Networks To Know
While FedRAMP is the paramount standard for cloud service providers, it’s in fact a part of a larger ecosystem of compliance frameworks for federal approval and use. Other standards include:
FISMA: based on NIST guidelines, which require agencies to develop, document, and implement an agency-wide security program. This authorization is specific to a single agency.
GovRAMP: known previously as StateRAMP. Provides a standardized framework for cloud vendors working with state and local governments and higher education institutions. More tailored to the needs of non-federal government bodies.
CMMC: required for organizations within the Department of Defense supply chain, focused on protecting Controlled Unclassified Information.
Prepare, Streamline FedRAMP Certification
Whether beginning the certification process or renewing, creating a plan ahead of contract capture is critical. As the process is time-intensive, cloud providers looking to provide or sell by 2027 need to begin the process today.
Worldnet delivers a unified strategy across diverse compliance frameworks. New program initiatives like FedRAMP 20x can reduce the timeline from months to weeks for certain impact levels.
Complex certifications such as FedRAMP require expert guidance. Let us guide you and simplify the process.
