FedRAMP Security Compliance

Running the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, or FedRAMP, security compliance gauntlet is crucial if you aim to offer cloud services to the U.S. Federal Government. Navigating the review and authorization process can be challenging.

38North’s experienced, technically expert FedRAMP compliance consultants make the process easier. Trust Us to Get You There.

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38North Is Your Expert FedRAMP Advisor

Since FedRAMP’s inception, our security experts have helped hundreds of companies achieve authorization. Backed by this experience, our approach reduces common errors in the authorization process, saving your team time and reducing compliance risk. Whether you need guidance, documentation, or hands-on security engineering support, we’re here to streamline your path to FedRAMP Authority to Operate (ATO).

Our Advisory Lifecycle

What is the FedRAMP Process?

The FedRAMP process involves four distinct phases, each of which requires careful documentation, engagement, and authorization with the CSP, 3PAO, JAB, FedRAMP PMO and sponsoring agencies. You could read the overview below, or you could talk with one of our FedRAMP experts about getting your ATO.

Preparation

Assessment

Authorization

Continuous Monitoring

Preparation

Not to be understated, the preparation phase is critical to FedRAMP success. Existing systems need to be examined to gauge readiness before an assessment is considered. This includes thorough review of security programs, architecture and implementation. Once gaps are known remedial measures are designed and implemented. Documentation meeting exacting FedRAMP standards is developed. Avoid the pitfalls with a seasoned team of experts to ensure your system will withstand FedRAMP scrutiny.

Assessment

CSPs complete a comprehensive assessment and review of their cloud service offering (CSO) by a third party assessment organization (3PAO) to demonstrate compliance with the FedRAMP requirements. Control implementation is key along with specific requirements that are considered mandatory. Identified weaknesses may be remediated during the assessment period to reduce the overall number of open findings listed in the Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M).

Authorization

Results of the security assessment from the 3PAO are reviewed by the sponsoring agency to determine whether an Authority to Operate (ATO) decision can be awarded. The Authorization package is also reviewed by the FedRAMP PMO to determine whether it will be listed on the FedRAMP marketplace. Multiple agencies may authorize a CSO.

Continuous Monitoring

After authorization is granted, CSPs must continue to maintain and monitor their systems in accordance with FedRAMP continuous monitoring requirements to ensure secure operation over time. CSPs must also report any significant changes made to the authorized CSO while also undergoing annual 3PAO assessment.

FedRAMP Requirements: The 38North Way

No-Surprises FedRAMP ATOs

We mitigate the chance of ATO delays and denials by ensuring your submission package is done right. Our experience and expertise with technology and partnership with the 3PAO community ensure a complete and technically sound process, every time.

Embedded FedRAMP Experts

Distant compliance consultants that just dictate “to-dos” never work out for companies. That’s why our team is embedded within your engineering and development teams — to help build controls around your business case. This, in turn, results in compliant security policies and procedures that are sustainable and result in stronger security posture.

Scalable Engagements

Our approach is tailored to meet client-specific objectives. Some clients just need a basic gap analysis and staff augmentation support. Others want to outsource their entire security compliance and continuous monitoring programs. We work with every major FedRAMP IaaS provider, including AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, IBM, VMware and Oracle.

Collaborative and Complete

We’re also known across the FedRAMP ecosystem, from the FedRAMP PMO and Joint Authorization Board (JAB), to the US Cabinet Agencies and across the US Department of Defense. We understand what these organizations look for when assessing, accrediting and choosing Cloud Service Providers. Based on your chosen path to compliance, we can anticipate objections and avoid roadblocks to provide a smooth transition to FedRAMP compliance.

FedRAMP Consulting Solutions

FedRAMP Gap Analysis

New to FedRAMP and don’t know where to start? Our gap analyses will educate you on the process. We’ll evaluate your cloud solutions against FedRAMP’s security control baselines at a fraction of the cost — and headache — of a full assessment.

FedRAMP Advisory Support

If you’ve committed to the process but need help developing the required documentation, our experienced FedRAMP consultants can help. Learn more about Documentation Development in our Cloud Security Advisory section.

FedRAMP Assessment Support

If you’re preparing for your first FedRAMP assessment, our experienced FedRAMP consulting team can help. We’re well-versed in FedRAMP’s quirks and can quickly resolve findings. Our relationships across the 3PAO community help resolve misunderstandings and facilitate a smooth assessment.

FedRAMP Remediation Support

Finished a FedRAMP assessment and need assistance with remedial measures? Our skilled cloud security advisors can expedite getting you to ATO faster through updated technologies, policies, and training. We can help implement new technologies, policies, plans, procedures, or training and awareness controls to meet requirements.

FedRAMP Continuous Monitoring

Achieving FedRAMP accreditation is tricky, but holding on to that accreditation is even harder. Continuous Monitoring packages take care of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual continuous monitoring tasks, allowing you to stay focused on your organization’s success.

INTERNATIONAL COMPANY?

If you plan on providing cloud offerings (COs) to many U.S. entities, especially the government, they may require you to gain FedRAMP clearance. The good news is that any existing work you’ve done for other global compliance may help you jump-start that process. As global cloud security experts, we can help you translate that work into the FedRAMP process.

See Global Compliance

Your FedRAMP ATO Starts Here

Book an initial FedRAMP conversation with one of our global security experts today and we’ll show you how FedRAMP certification can help open new markets and provide industry-leading assurance.

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