A Guide to FedRAMP: FAQs & Key Takeaways
There’s a whole lot to know about FedRAMP, and while there are countless resources available that ensure information on the subject is in no short supply, it can be daunting to sift through, especially when what you really need are quick, straightforward answers.
That’s why our team at Anchore put together this comprehensive list of FedRAMP FAQs, complete with real-world perspectives and examples where you need them most. Simply find your question in the table of contents on the left, jump down to find the answer, and bookmark this page for when you have future FedRAMP questions and need an answer in a pinch.
Some Background on FedRAMP
What is FedRAMP? What purpose does it serve?
FedRAMP, which stands for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is a US Federal compliance program. It provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.
Essentially, it enables federal agencies to take advantage of the latest SaaS/Cloud offerings. The last 15 years have seen the software industry transition from a perpetual license business model to a subscription business model. What this means is that the most innovative software with the highest productivity gains are only available via a SaaS/Cloud deployment model. This effectively barred federal agencies from access to an entire generation of software vendors. FedRAMP was created in order to address this gap.
The main purposes FedRAMP serves are—
- Ensuring security: It establishes a set of standardized security requirements for cloud service providers (CSPs) who want to work with federal agencies.
- Promoting efficiency: By creating a “do once, use many times” framework, FedRAMP reduces the time and cost associated with security assessments for both government agencies and CSPs.
- Enhancing consistency: It provides a uniform process for assessing and authorizing cloud services across different federal agencies.
- Increasing confidence: FedRAMP helps federal agencies feel more confident in adopting cloud technologies by ensuring that approved services meet rigorous security standards.
- Supporting modernization: By streamlining the adoption of secure cloud services, FedRAMP aids in the federal government’s IT modernization efforts.
What are the governing bodies of FedRAMP?
FedRAMP has several key governing bodies that oversee its operations and ensure its effectiveness.
FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO)
The FedRAMP PMO serves as the operational hub of the FedRAMP program with several key responsibilities:
- Reviewing and auditing FedRAMP documents/deliverables
- Updating CSP FedRAMP status on the FedRAMP Marketplace
- Developing and maintaining FedRAMP processes, templates, and guidance
- Coordinating between agencies, cloud service providers, and 3rd-party assessment organizations (3PAOs)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB):
- OMB provides the policy guidance for FedRAMP
- It issued the original policy memo that created FedRAMP and continues to provide oversight
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):
- While not a direct governing body, NIST plays a crucial role by providing the risk framework and security controls that FedRAMP is based on (i.e., Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST 800-37 and the Control Catalog, NIST 800-53)
These bodies work together to ensure that FedRAMP remains effective, up-to-date, and aligned with federal cybersecurity needs. Their collaborative efforts help maintain the program’s integrity and its ability to serve federal agencies and cloud service providers effectively.
What’s the difference between FedRAMP & FISMA?
The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) is a federal law that requires all federal agencies to implement an information security program to protect the agency’s data. FedRAMP is a compliance program that proves a cloud service provider is in compliance with FISMA and can be adopted by federal agencies.
Here are the key differences:
1. Purpose:
- FISMA: Establishes a comprehensive framework to protect government information, operations, and assets against natural or man-made threats.
- FedRAMP: Provides a standardized approach specifically for assessing, authorizing, and continuously monitoring cloud products and services.
2. Scope:
- FISMA: Applies to all federal agencies and their information systems, including both cloud and non-cloud systems.
- FedRAMP: Focuses exclusively on cloud service providers (CSP) used by federal agencies.
3. Authorization Approach:
- FISMA: Each agency is responsible for authorizing its own systems (self-authorization).
- FedRAMP: CSPs must go through a formal authorization process managed by the FedRAMP PMO (third-party). After achieving FedRAMP authorization a CSPs service can be easily deployed for any other federal agency.
4. Historical Context:
- FISMA: Enacted in 2002 (updated in 2014 as FISMA Reform Act) to address overall federal information security.
- FedRAMP: Established in 2011 specifically to support the government’s cloud-first initiative.
Making the Decision to Pursue FedRAMP ATO
Who needs to be FedRAMP certified?
FedRAMP certification is primarily required for:
Cloud Service Provider (CSP)
Any company offering cloud-based products or services that wants to do business with US federal government agencies needs to be FedRAMP certified. This includes:
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers: e.g., Salesforce, Atlassian, Zoom, etc.
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) providers: e.g., Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, etc.
- Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) providers: e.g., Cloudflare Workers developer platform, Vercel, DigitalOcean App Platform, etc.
Sponsoring Federal Agency
A US federal agency acts as the “sponsor” for CSPs pursuing their initial FedRAMP authorization. While agencies don’t get FedRAMP-authorized themselves, they are required to use FedRAMP-authorized cloud services for their deployments that involve controlled—but not classified—data. This includes agencies like:
- Department of Commerce (DoC)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- United States Secret Service (USSS)
It’s important to note that non-cloud software products and services used by federal agencies fall under different security frameworks (e.g., FISMA, SSDF, etc.) and don’t require FedRAMP authorization. This primarily refers to software that runs “on-premise” in an agency’s cloud environment.
3rd-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs)
3PAOs are independent entities that perform the initial and periodic security assessments for CSPs seeking FedRAMP authorization. To serve in this capacity, these organizations must themselves be accredited by the FedRAMP PMO. A current list of authorized 3PAOs is available on the FedRAMP Marketplace website.
What are the benefits? Is FedRAMP certification worth it?
The decision to pursue FedRAMP certification can be significant for a company. Here are the key benefits and considerations to help determine if it’s worth it:
Benefits
Access to Federal Market:
- Opens up a large market of federal agencies as potential customers. The US government spends billions annually on cloud services.
Competitive Advantage:
- Differentiates your company in the marketplace; can be attractive to non-federal customers who value high security standards.
Improved Security Posture:
- The rigorous process often leads to overall improvements in a company’s security practices.
Reusability:
- Once certified, the authorization can be leveraged across multiple federal agencies.
Streamlined Compliance:
- Jump starts progress towards other compliance certifications (e.g., HIPAA, SOC 2) due to overlapping controls.
Considerations
Cost:
- The certification process can be expensive, potentially costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Time Investment:
- The process is lengthy, often taking 12-18 months or more.
Ongoing Maintenance:
- Requires continuous monitoring and regular reassessments.
Resource Intensive:
- Demands significant staff time and may require hiring specialized personnel.
Complexity:
- The process is rigorous and complex, requiring a deep understanding of security practices.
Is it worth it?
Whether FedRAMP certification is worth it depends on:
- Your target market (how important federal customers are to your business strategy)
- Available resources (both financial and personnel)
- Long-term business goals
- Current security posture (how much work is needed to meet FedRAMP requirements)
For companies with a strong focus on serving federal agencies or those in industries where security is paramount, the benefits often outweigh the costs. However, for smaller companies or those not targeting federal customers, the investment may not be justified.
How long does it take to get FedRAMP certified?
The FedRAMP certification process can be lengthy and complex. While the duration can vary depending on several factors, here’s a general timeline:
Typical Duration
- On average, the full FedRAMP certification process takes about 12-18 months.
- Some organizations may complete it in as little as 6-9 months, while others might take 2 years or more.
Factors Affecting Timeline
- Readiness of the Cloud Service Provider (CSP)
- Complexity of the system
- Level of security authorization required (Low, Moderate, or High)
- Chosen authorization path (Agency Authorization or JAB Provisional Authorization)
- Responsiveness of the CSP to assessment findings
- Current workload of the reviewing bodies
Key Phases and Approximate Durations
- Preparation and Readiness Assessment: 1-3 months
- Documentation Development: 3-6 months
- Third-Party Assessment: 2-4 months
- Agency Review and Authorization: 3-6 months
Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)
- After initial authorization, continuous monitoring is ongoing
Considerations
It’s important to note that this timeline assumes a relatively smooth process. Delays can occur if:
- The system has significant security gaps that need addressing
- Documentation is incomplete or inadequate
- There are delays in remediation of identified issues
- The reviewing agency has a backlog
To expedite the process, CSPs are advised to:
- Thoroughly prepare before starting the formal process
- Engage with a FedRAMP consultant or experienced advisor
- Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate from the start
- Be responsive to inquiries and quick to address any identified issues
Remember, while the initial certification is a significant milestone, FedRAMP compliance is an ongoing process requiring continuous monitoring and periodic reassessments.
What is the cost of achieving FedRAMP ATO?
The cost of achieving FedRAMP Authorization to Operate (ATO) can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs and considerations:
Overall Cost Range
- Generally, costs can range from $500,000 to $2 million or more.
- Some organizations report spending up to $5 million for complex systems or high-impact level authorizations.
Key Cost Factors
- Size and complexity of the cloud system
- Current security posture and how much work is needed to meet FedRAMP requirements
- Level of authorization sought (Low, Moderate, or High impact)
- Whether using internal resources or external consultants
Specific Cost Areas
- Internal Labor Costs:
- Often the largest expense, typically ranging from $400,000 to $1 million+
- Includes time for security team, developers, management, etc.
- Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) Fees:
- Usually between $150,000 to $300,000 for initial assessment
- Ongoing annual assessments can cost $50,000 to $150,000
- Consulting Fees (if used):
- Can range from $100,000 to $500,000 or more
- Helps with readiness, documentation, and guidance through the process
- Technology and Tools:
- $50,000 to $200,000 for security tools, monitoring systems, etc.
- Documentation and Preparation:
- Can cost $100,000 to $300,000 if outsourced
Ongoing Costs
- Annual continuous monitoring and maintenance can cost 30-50% of the initial authorization cost
Hidden Costs
- Potential system upgrades or redesigns to meet security requirements
- Opportunity costs of dedicating resources to FedRAMP instead of other projects
Cost-Saving Strategies
- Thorough preparation before starting the formal process
- Leveraging existing security controls and documentation
- Using FedRAMP-compliant cloud infrastructure providers, like AWS GovCloud
It’s important to note that while these costs are significant, they should be weighed against the potential return on investment from accessing the federal market and the overall improvement in security posture.
Companies considering FedRAMP authorization should conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis and potentially consult with FedRAMP advisors to get a more accurate estimate based on their specific situation.
The FedRAMP Certification Process
What are the FedRAMP impact levels?
FedRAMP categorizes cloud systems into three impact levels based on the potential impact of a security breach. These levels are directly aligned with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199. Here are the three FedRAMP impact levels:
LI-SaaS
- Specifically designed for Low Impact Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications that process only limited types of data (e.g., no PII beyond username, password and email address)
- Features streamlined documentation requirements and fewer security controls compared to standard Low baseline
- Enables faster authorization path for low-risk cloud services
Low Impact
- For systems where the loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability would have a limited adverse effect on an agency’s operations, assets, or individuals.
- Typically involves publicly available information or non-sensitive data.
- Requires implementation of the FedRAMP Low baseline security controls.
Moderate Impact
- For systems where a loss would have a serious adverse effect on an agency’s operations, assets, or individuals.
- This is the most common level for federal systems.
- Covers a wide range of sensitive but unclassified data.
- Requires implementation of the FedRAMP Moderate baseline security controls.
High Impact
- For systems where a loss could have a severe or catastrophic adverse effect on organizational operations, assets, or individuals.
- Involves highly sensitive information, including certain types of law enforcement and emergency services data, financial data, health records, and other critical assets.
- Requires implementation of the FedRAMP High baseline security controls, which are the most rigorous.
Key points
- The impact levels are a pyramid, each higher level incorporates all the controls from the lower levels—plus additional ones.
- The number of security controls increases significantly with each level (LI-SaaS: at least 37, Low: 125, Moderate: 325, High: 421 controls).
- Agencies determine the appropriate impact level based on the type of data they plan to store or process in the cloud system.
- Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) can choose which impact level(s) to pursue certification for, based on their target market and capabilities.
The impact level determines the depth and breadth of the security assessment, influencing both the cost and time required for FedRAMP authorization. Higher impact levels generally require more extensive security measures and more rigorous assessments.
What are the FedRAMP requirements for each impact level?
The FedRAMP requirements for each impact level are inherited from NIST 800-53, which serves as the authoritative reference for security controls for many federal compliance programs (e.g., SSDF, ATO/cATO, CMMC, etc).
Here’s an overview of the requirements for each impact level:
Low Impact SaaS
Total Controls: 37 controls (may expand to ~50–60 if the service touches PII, supports mobile apps, etc.)
Key Requirements:
| Focus area | Representative requirements |
|---|---|
| Access & auth | MFA for privileged accounts and all remote administrative sessionsLeast-privilege RBAC documented in an ACL matrix |
| Encryption | FIPS 140-2/140-3-compliant encryption in transit (TLS 1.2+ preferred) |
| Audit & monitoring | Central log retention: 30-day online; 12-month cold storageMonthly vulnerability scansAnnual penetration test |
| Incident response (IR) & continuity | IR plan with 1 business-day reporting window to FedRAMP PMOBackup plan that meets a 24-hour RPO/RTO |
| Documentation | FedRAMP SSP “lite,” POA&M, and customer-facing SLA with security provisions |
Low Impact
Total Controls: 125
Key Requirements: everything in LI-SaaS, plus…
- Boundary protection (SC-7): basic firewalling/segmentation between CSP internal zones and the FedRAMP-authorized service boundary
- System hardening (CM-6) using DISA STIGs/CIS benchmarks; configuration drift scans at least quarterly
- Contingency Planning (CP) with annual tabletop exercise
- Identification & Authentication (IA) for all users (MFA for privileged, strong passwords for others)
- Continuous Monitoring strategy aligned to FedRAMP ConMon (monthly scanning, quarterly SAR updates)
Moderate Impact
Total Controls: 325
Key Additional Requirements: all Low requirements, plus key upgrades such as…
- Encryption at rest for all customer data; keys managed in a FIPS 140-validated module or HSM
- MFA for every user (privileged and non-privileged) when accessing via the public Internet
- Vulnerability scanning frequency increased to weekly (internally) and monthly (externally); 72-hr remediation of critical findings
- Event logging depth increased (full packet/header data, administrator commands, security-relevant API calls); 90-day hot / 12-month cold retention
- Incident response testing (functional exercise) at least quarterly, with results fed into POA&M
- Personnel security: Tier 2 background checks; annual security & privacy training refreshers
- System interconnection agreements (ISA/MOU) required for every external interface
High Impact
Total Controls: 421
Key Additional Requirements: all Moderate controls, plus stricter safeguards, including…
- Segmentation & isolation down to subnet / VLAN or container namespace; internal traffic inspection (east-west IDS)
- Hardware-backed crypto controls (FIPS 140-3 Level 3+) for key storage; two-person rule for key operations
- Near-real-time continuous monitoring: automated event correlation & alerting within 60 minutes; daily manual log review
- Supply-chain & code-integrity: code-signing, SBOM, tamper-evident build pipeline, and third-party component vetting
- Advanced vulnerability management: authenticated scans of all hosts daily; web-app scans daily; quarterly red-team exercise
- Enhanced personnel vetting: Tier 3 (or higher) background investigations; insider-threat and privileged-user monitoring program
- Physical security comparable to NIST High: mantraps, 24×7 guards, CCTV retention ≥ 90 days
- Recovery time objectives tightened (e.g., RTO ≤ 8 hours, RPO ≤ 1 hour) and annual operational fail-over test
Common themes
| Focus area | Representative requirements |
|---|---|
| Multi-factor authentication | Always for admins; increasingly for all users as impact rises |
| Encryption | Mandatory for data in transit (all levels) and at rest (Moderate/High) |
| Vulnerability management | Authenticated scanning, penetration testing, defined remediation windows |
| Configuration & change management (CM) | Hardened baselines, documented change control, and routine drift detection |
| Audit & monitoring (AU) | Centralized logging, time-sync (NTP), role separation for log review, retention ≥ 12 months |
| Incident response (IR) | Formal IR plan, 1-hour to 24-hour notification to US-CERT/FedRAMP depending on severity |
| Contingency planning & backups | Tested backups, defined RTO/RPO, alt site or cloud-native replication |
| Personnel & training | Background checks, annual security & privacy training, role-based training for admins |
| Documentation & third-party assessment | SSP, SAP, SAR, POA&M, customer-facing system description, and a 3PAO assessment |
| Continuous monitoring (ConMon) | Ongoing scanning, monthly POA&M updates, annual security control assessment, and real-time defect reporting via FedRAMP’s Dashboard |
It’s important to note that these requirements are regularly updated to address evolving security threats and technologies. CSPs must stay current with the latest FedRAMP requirements and continuously monitor and maintain their systems to ensure ongoing compliance.
How do I determine my organization’s impact level?
To determine your organization’s FedRAMP impact level, first understand that the vast majority of cloud service providers end up in the Moderate category—about 80 percent of all FedRAMP Authorizations to Operate (ATOs). Impact levels are assigned according to the risk posed by the federal data your service processes or stores.
If you believe your system could qualify for a lower or higher tier, first walk through the NIST FIPS 199 rating process, which FedRAMP inherits for impact categorization. Under FIPS 199, the highest confidentiality-integrity-availability (CIA) rating observed anywhere in your environment sets the bar for the entire system. In practice, handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or other sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) typically elevates you to at least Moderate.
Ultimately, the sponsoring agency’s AO (Authorizing Official) has final say, so validate your proposed impact level with them early to avoid rework.
What are the steps to getting FedRAMP certified?
The process of obtaining FedRAMP certification involves several key steps. Here’s a high-level overview of the typical path to FedRAMP authorization:
Learn how to navigate FedRAMP authorization while avoiding all of the most common pitfalls.
Step 0: Project Scoping and Business Analysis
Before formally beginning the FedRAMP authorization process, organizations should engage and prepare all of the initiative stakeholders. FedRAMP is a massive undertaking in the best of circumstances and requires effort from almost every department of an enterprise. Without full alignment there is a non-trivial risk of the initiative failing. Alignment is formed by conducting thorough project scoping and business analysis.
Tasks
- Determine the Cloud Service Offering(s) (CSO) in scope
- Determine categorization of the agency data that will be stored and processed by CSO
- Determine the impact level you’re targeting (LI-SaaS, Low, Moderate, High)
- Conduct a gap analysis between your current security posture and FedRAMP requirements
- Identify a specific agency to sponsor your organization
Note: The previous JAB Authorization path (aka P-ATO) has been discontinued.
Step 1: Readiness Assessment (Optional but Recommended)
While it is optional, the Readiness Assessment step is a powerful preparatory exercise. If your organization is uncertain about their own gap analysis assessment, engaging with an experienced 3PAO is a shortcut to creating confidence that later steps and stages will go smoothly.
Note: This stage is only available to organizations targeting Moderate and High impact levels.
Tasks
- CSP develops a System Security Plan (SSP)
- CSP selects an accredited 3PAO from FedRAMP Marketplace to perform assessment
- CSP performs security review and Readiness Assessment Report with 3PAO
- CSP develops a plan to address any identified security gaps
FedRAMP Marketplace Status: FedRAMP-Ready
Step 2: Pre-Authorization
The pre-authorization step is either the first or second official step of the FedRAMP process depending on if your organization opted-out or were disqualified from the Readiness Assessment step. This step is primarily documentation and initial engagement with the FedRAMP PMO and sponsoring agency.
Tasks
- (If you skipped Step 1) CSP develops a System Security Plan (SSP)
- CSP submits a CSP Information Form
- CSP completes In Process Request (IPR) and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) with sponsoring agency
- CSP conducts formal FedRAMP Kickoff Meeting with the sponsoring agency, the FedRAMP PMO and the 3PAO (if applicable)
FedRAMP Marketplace Status: FedRAMP-In Process
Step 3: Full Security Assessment
The Authorization stage begins the formal FedRAMP security and compliance process. This step requires a formal security assessment performed by a 3PAO and a formal remediation plan that will be presented to your sponsoring agency in the next step.
Tasks
- 3PAO performs an independent security assessment of the CSO system
- 3PAO delivers a Security Assessment Report (SAR) to CSP
- CSP develops a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for remediation
Step 4: Agency Authorization Process
The Agency Authorization Process is the final step for a CSP to achieve their initial authority to operate (ATO). This step focuses on making sure that your sponsoring agency is satisfied with your organization’s performance during Step 3 and that the audit evidence collected during the preceding steps meets the FedRAMP PMO’s requirements.
Tasks
- Sponsoring agency reviews CSP’s Security Assessment Plan (SAP)
- Agency issues Authority to Operate (ATO) to CSP
- CSP submits FedRAMP Authorization Package to FedRAMP PMO
FedRAMP Marketplace Status: FedRAMP-Authorized
Step 5: Post Authorization (Continuous Monitoring)
Achieving FedRAMP ATO is not the end of your compliance journey—it’s merely the starting line. While organizations typically approach FedRAMP authorization as a marathon with a photo finish, the reality is that the DevSecOps movement has transformed US government compliance. Under the name of continuous monitoring (ConMon), the one-time marathon that was FedRAMP compliance has morphed into a never-ending treadmill of security and compliance activities.
Tasks
- CSP uploads monthly security documentation
- Annual 3PAO administered security assessment
Remember, FedRAMP authorization is a complex and time-consuming process that typically takes 12-18 months or more. Each step may involve multiple sub-steps and iterations. It is a marathon not a sprint—plan accordingly.
What tools or solutions can help me achieve FedRAMP compliance?
Several tools and solutions can assist in achieving and maintaining FedRAMP compliance. Here’s an overview of key categories and some examples:
Compliance Management Platforms
- Automated tools to track controls, manage documentation, and monitor compliance
- Examples: Coalfire FedRAMP Assurance, A-LIGN’s A-SCEND, Schellman Comply
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Centralized logging and security event monitoring
- Examples: Splunk, Panther, LogRhythm
Software Supply Chain Vulnerability Scanning and Management
- Identify and track vulnerabilities in your systems
- Examples: Anchore Enterprise
Configuration Management
- Ensure systems are configured according to FedRAMP requirements
- Examples: Chef, Puppet, Ansible
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Manage user access and implement multi-factor authentication
- Examples: Okta, Microsoft Azure Active Directory, AWS IAM
Encryption Tools
- Protect data at rest and in transit
- Examples: Hashicorp Vault, AWS Key Management Service
Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)
- Automate ongoing security assessments
- Examples: Anchore Enterprise
Document Management Systems
- Organize and maintain required documentation
- Examples: Drata, AuditBoard, Archer Insight
Incident Response and Management
- Tools to help detect, respond to, and manage security incidents
- Examples: PagerDuty, ServiceNow Security Operations
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)
- Visibility and control over cloud service usage
- Examples: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Cloudflare CASB
Network Security Tools
- Firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems
- Examples: Cloudflare, Palo Alto Networks, F5
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Prevent unauthorized data exfiltration
- Examples: Zscaler, Cloudflare DLP
When selecting tools:
- Ensure they meet FedRAMP requirements for their respective functions
- Consider solutions that integrate well with your existing infrastructure
- Look for tools that can generate reports in FedRAMP-required formats
- Prioritize solutions that can help automate compliance processes
Remember, while these tools can significantly aid in achieving and maintaining FedRAMP compliance, they’re not a substitute for a comprehensive security program and expert guidance. Many organizations use a combination of these tools along with consulting services to navigate the FedRAMP process effectively.
Other FedRAMP FAQs
What’s the difference between ATO and P-ATO?
A P-ATO (Provisional Authority to Operate) is a legacy designation for the JAB Authorization path that was discontinued in 2024.
Have there been any changes to FedRAMP?
Yes, FedRAMP has undergone several changes and updates since its inception in 2011. Here are the most significant changes and ongoing initiatives:
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Baseline Alignment & Modernization | FedRAMP adopted each new revision of NIST SP 800-53 (Rev 3 → Rev 4 → Rev 5) and folded in newer privacy, crypto (FIPS 140-3), and zero-trust logging requirements as they appeared, keeping the control set current with technology and threats. |
| Speed & Scalability | What began as year-long, paperwork-heavy authorizations gained time-cutting programs—FedRAMP Accelerated (2016), the light-weight Tailored LI-SaaS path (2017), and now the automation-centric FedRAMP 20x initiative (2025)—all aimed at shrinking cost and cycle time. |
| Automation & Machine-Readable Packages | Starting with OSCAL templates in 2020, FedRAMP has pushed for machine-readable SSPs, scans, and POA&Ms. The FedRAMP 20x roadmap makes “automation-first” processing the default, enabling continuous assurance rather than annual re-assessment. |
| Risk-Based, Threat-Informed Focus | Guidance shifted from compliance-checkbox reviews to threat-based prioritization (2021 white paper, 2022 update), letting agencies weight controls by real-world adversary tactics and system mission criticality. |
| Institutionalization & Legal Authority | An OMB memo program in 2011 became permanent law via the FedRAMP Authorization Act (Dec 2022), creating an advisory committee and a “presumption of adequacy” for reused authorizations—cementing FedRAMP’s role in federal cloud procurement. |
FedRAMP has continuously tightened technical baselines, codified itself in law, and layered in automation and risk-driven methods—all to authorize secure cloud services faster while staying aligned with an evolving threat landscape. As FedRAMP continues to evolve, cloud service providers and federal agencies should stay informed about the latest updates and requirements.
Next Steps
FedRAMP is an exhaustive topic as evidenced by the length of this article. The important thing to remember when beginning this journey to achieving FedRAMP compliance is that it is a journey. This is a process that takes time. If you’re looking for shortcuts to get to the punchline as quick as possible, be sure to read our case study on how Cisco Umbrella utilized Anchore Enterprise to achieve FedRAMP compliance in weeks versus months or reach out to our team directly and we can walk you through how we can help your organization achieve similar results.
