FedRAMP

Summary

FedRAMP, or the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment and authorization for cloud services that process unclassified information used by federal agencies.

FAQs

How does FedRAMP contribute to the secure adoption of cloud technologies within the U.S. government?

FedRAMP enables the secure adoption of cloud services within the U.S. government in several ways. Here’s how:

• Standardized Security Framework: FedRAMP establishes a unified set of security standards for cloud offerings, replacing the previous requirement for vendors to comply with varying standards from each agency. This streamlined approach allows agencies to reuse authorizations granted to Cloud Service Offerings (CSOs), simplifying the adoption of secure cloud technologies and reducing redundancy and costs for both the government and cloud service providers.
• Rigorous Security Assessments: FedRAMP mandates thorough security assessments of cloud offerings, encompassing documentation reviews and potential “red team” assessments to validate security claims and ensure the effectiveness of security controls. These assessments help verify the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of cloud products and services.
• Promoting “Do Once, Use Many”: Central to FedRAMP’s approach is the principle of “do once, use many times,” emphasizing the reuse of authorizations across agencies. Once a CSO is deemed “Authorized” on the FedRAMP Marketplace, any government agency can adopt it after reviewing the existing security package, saving considerable time and resources by avoiding redundant assessments.
• Continuous Monitoring: FedRAMP enforces ongoing monitoring of authorized cloud services, ensuring they continuously meet the required security benchmarks. This process encourages agility in development and deployment by allowing Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) to implement updates and fixes without seeking approval for each change while giving the government the necessary visibility to maintain confidence in the CSO’s security. FedRAMP promotes continuous improvement by prioritizing monitoring of high-impact security controls and sharing data with agencies to aid their risk management decisions.
• Focus on Emerging Technologies and Best Practices: Recognizing the evolving nature of the cloud landscape, FedRAMP encourages adopting cutting-edge cloud technologies and industry best practices. The program strives to be flexible and responsive to technological advancements, establishing pathways for adopting new cloud products through temporary authorizations and pilot programs to assess their viability for broader government use. FedRAMP also streamlines authorization processes by accepting widely recognized external security frameworks and certifications when appropriate. This adaptability helps ensure government agencies can leverage the latest cloud solutions while maintaining rigorous security standards.

Overall, FedRAMP promotes a collaborative, risk-based approach to cloud adoption within the U.S. government. It incentivizes robust security measures, fosters trust between government agencies and cloud service providers, and streamlines the process for adopting and deploying secure cloud technologies.

How does FedRAMP work?

FedRAMP uses a “do once, use many” approach. This means a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) only needs to have their cloud service offering (CSO) authorized once, by either a Joint Authorization Board (JAB) or an agency, for it to be used by multiple government agencies. This differs from the past, when agencies had to individually authorize each cloud service, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

What is the role of the FedRAMP Board?

Previously known as the Joint Authorization Board (JAB), the FedRAMP Board is the main governing body for FedRAMP. It consists of the CIOs from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and General Services Administration. The Board oversees FedRAMP’s strategic direction, makes key decisions about the program, and manages risk for the Federal Government.

What is a 3PAO and what is their role in FedRAMP?

A 3PAO, or Third Party Assessment Organization, is an independent organization authorized by FedRAMP to assess the security of cloud service offerings.

3PAOs play a critical role in the FedRAMP process by:

• Conducting independent security assessments of cloud service offerings based on FedRAMP requirements.
• Producing assessment reports, including the Readiness Assessment Report (RAR), Security Assessment Plan (SAP), and Security Assessment Report (SAR).
• Providing these reports to the FedRAMP PMO and the authorizing officials to help them make informed risk-based decisions.

Why was the FedRAMP Authorization Act established?

The FedRAMP Authorization Act, passed in December 2022, establishes FedRAMP in law, making it a permanent program. Prior to the Act, FedRAMP operated under an OMB policy memo. This Act aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of FedRAMP to promote the secure adoption of cloud services.

How does FedRAMP utilize a threat-based approach to security?

FedRAMP uses a risk management process that prioritizes security controls based on the most significant threats to government data. This involves:

• Collaborating with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to tailor security controls based on threat analysis, intelligence, and modeling.
• Prioritizing the implementation of controls that address the most critical threats, including cyberattacks, natural disasters, and insider threats.

How does FedRAMP support innovation through pilot programs?

FedRAMP encourages innovation by providing a pathway for agencies to pilot new cloud services that don’t yet have full FedRAMP authorization. This involves:

• Issuing temporary authorizations for up to 12 months for pilot programs of cloud services.
• Allowing agencies to test and provide feedback on emerging cloud technologies.
• Creating a more flexible process for cloud services to gain full FedRAMP authorization.

What is the importance of machine-readable data in the FedRAMP authorization process?

FedRAMP emphasizes the use of machine-readable data formats, such as NIST’s Open Secure Control Assessment Language (OSCAL). This is crucial to:

• Automate program processes, improving the speed and efficiency of authorizations.
• Enhance the accuracy and consistency of security assessments and authorizations.
• Facilitate the sharing and reuse of authorization artifacts among agencies.

Sources

• FedRAMP
• FedRAMP
• Program Basics
• A FedRAMP Overview: Introduction
• Governance
• FACT SHEET: OMB Releases FedRAMP Guidance to Accelerate the Secure Adoption of Cloud Services
• M-24-15: Modernizing the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)
• Cloud Service Providers
• Federal Agencies
• Assessors
• Agency Authorization