Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics and AI, partnered with 38North Security to achieve a FedRAMP Moderate Authority to Operate (ATO) for its Cloudera for Government platform. With 38North’s support, Cloudera successfully:
- Architected a secure, scalable AWS GovCloud (US) environment
- Developed a comprehensive authorization package
- Implemented a robust continuous monitoring program.
This milestone expands Cloudera’s federal market presence with a solution tailored for public sector data needs.
The Challenge
To unlock federal opportunities, Cloudera needed to meet the stringent requirements of the FedRAMP Moderate baseline. However, the company faced significant hurdles:
- Designing a compliant architecture within AWS GovCloud (US)
- Translating technical controls into formal documentation suitable for third-party assessment
- Establishing a sustainable continuous monitoring (ConMon) strategy
With limited in-house experience in federal compliance and secure cloud design, Cloudera needed a trusted partner to de-risk and accelerate their FedRAMP journey.
Our Role & Approach
38North Security delivered both strategic direction and deep technical execution across every phase of the authorization effort:
- Cloud Architecture Design
We co-designed a secure, scalable AWS GovCloud platform using native AWS services. Key focus areas included:
- Boundary definition
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- Encryption
- Secure data flows
- Documentation Development
38North authored the full FedRAMP documentation suite, including:
- System Security Plan (SSP)
- Detailed control implementations
- Supporting evidence and artifacts
All documentation reflected Cloudera’s architecture and aligned with 3PAO and agency expectations.
- Continuous Monitoring Enablement
To support ongoing compliance, we defined and helped implement a robust ConMon program. This included:
- Log integration and centralization
- Alerting and response recommendations
- Security and audit data readiness
Throughout, 38North served as both technical advisor and compliance translator, turning complex security controls into clear engineering tasks, audit-ready evidence, and provable results.
The Results
With 38North Security’s support, Cloudera:
- Passed their independent 3PAO assessment
- Earned FedRAMP Moderate Authorization on May 7, 2025, for Cloudera for Government
This FedRAMP milestone empowers Cloudera to securely deliver its powerful data platform to U.S. federal agencies and public sector organizations.
Conclusion
By aligning secure architecture, rigorous documentation, and continuous monitoring from the outset, 38North enabled Cloudera to achieve a fast, low-risk FedRAMP ATO. This partnership demonstrates how expert compliance leadership—grounded in engineering—can accelerate market access while strengthening long-term security operations.
About 38North Security
38North Security is a leading cloud security and compliance advisory firm specializing in helping organizations navigate complex regulatory frameworks such as FedRAMP, Australia’s IRAP, CMMC, ISO 27001, and Japan’s ISMAP. Founded in 2012, we serve a global client base ranging from innovative startups to Fortune 500 companies, delivering engineering-driven solutions that accelerate cloud adoption and streamline compliance. Our team of seasoned advisors includes former 3PAO assessors, cloud engineers, and policy experts who bring a hands-on, automation-first approach to securing public and private cloud environments. At 38North, we don’t just interpret compliance—we operationalize it.
About Cloudera
Cloudera delivers a hybrid data platform that empowers public and private sector organizations to manage and analyze data at scale—securely, efficiently, and with full compliance. Built on open-source innovation and enterprise-grade technology, Cloudera’s solutions support AI/ML workloads, real-time analytics, and data governance in multi-cloud and on-premises environments. With Cloudera for Government, the company brings its trusted platform to federal agencies, supporting mission-critical initiatives with data-driven insights while meeting stringent security and regulatory standards.
Ready to Accelerate Your FedRAMP Journey?
Whether you’re just starting or need help closing the gap, 38North Security brings the engineering and compliance expertise to get you across the finish line. Contact us today to learn how we can support your path to authorization.
