About FedRAMP

FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by the U.S. federal government. It enables government agencies to rapidly adopt cloud technologies while ensuring consistent security measures and reducing duplicate assessment efforts across agencies.

Cloud service providers seeking to serve federal agencies must undergo a rigorous evaluation process against FedRAMP security controls and receive an authorization from either the Joint Authorization Board or a sponsoring agency. Once authorized, the cloud service is listed in the FedRAMP Marketplace, allowing other agencies to leverage existing security packages, significantly reducing time and resources needed for procurement while maintaining appropriate risk management.

FedRAMP compliance steps

Understand the FedRAMP requirements by reviewing the security baseline standards based on NIST SP 800-53, which vary depending on the impact level (Low, Moderate, or High) of your cloud service offering.

Select a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) that is FedRAMP-accredited to conduct your independent security assessment, as this is mandatory for authorization.

Implement the required security controls from the FedRAMP baseline, documenting your implementation in the System Security Plan (SSP) using FedRAMP templates.

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and develop a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) to address any gaps in your security posture.

Work with your 3PAO to undergo the security assessment, which involves testing controls, identifying weaknesses, and verifying compliance with FedRAMP requirements.

Submit your complete authorization package (including SSP, SAR, and POA&M) to either the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) or a specific federal agency, depending on your authorization path.

Address any findings from the review process and implement continuous monitoring practices to maintain compliance, including monthly vulnerability scans and annual assessments.

Ensure you have a formal change management process to document and assess the security impact of system changes throughout the authorization lifecycle.

Organizations often find FedRAMP compliance challenging due to its comprehensive and rigorous nature. The process requires deep understanding of complex NIST security controls and their implementation across cloud environments, which can overwhelm teams without specialized security expertise. Many struggle with the extensive documentation requirements, particularly when developing the System Security Plan, which must detail precisely how each control is implemented within their specific environment. The cost factor also presents significant barriers—from hiring qualified personnel to engaging accredited 3PAOs for assessments, organizations may face expenses reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars before achieving authorization.

The continuous monitoring requirements create additional operational burdens that many organizations underestimate. Monthly vulnerability scans, regular control assessments, and detailed reporting demand dedicated resources and sophisticated security tools. Change management processes must be meticulous, with security implications documented for even minor system modifications. For organizations accustomed to agile development approaches, these governance requirements can significantly slow innovation cycles and create internal resistance to compliance efforts.

The consequences of non-compliance are severe and multifaceted. Most immediately, organizations without FedRAMP authorization are effectively locked out of the federal cloud market, which represents billions in potential revenue. Those attempting to circumvent requirements may face legal repercussions, including False Claims Act violations with substantial penalties. Even organizations already serving government clients risk losing existing contracts if they fail to maintain their authorized status through continuous monitoring requirements. Beyond direct financial impacts, security breaches resulting from inadequate controls can lead to compromised government data, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny of an organization's entire security program.

Perhaps most concerning for commercial entities is the cascading effect of compliance failures. A single significant security incident can trigger investigations across multiple agencies, resulting in suspension or debarment from government contracting altogether. As government agencies increasingly share compliance information, problems with one agency customer can quickly affect relationships with others. Additionally, as private sector organizations increasingly look to FedRAMP as a security benchmark when selecting vendors, non-compliance can limit commercial opportunities as well, creating a competitive disadvantage that extends well beyond the federal marketplace.

Simplifying FedRAMP compliance with an Enterprise Browser

FedRAMP compliance is business critical, but navigating its complex requirements can be daunting. With the Island Enterprise Browser, businesses can simplify compliance while maintaining security and productivity — directly through the browser. By creating secure application boundaries and embedding robust controls, Island ensures information stays within authorized systems, reducing audit scope and risk.