Fed ramp basics

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SECURING CLOUD SERVICES FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) provides a standardized approach to security authorizations for Cloud Service Offerings.  

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) was established in 2011 to provide a cost-effective, risk-based approach for the adoption and use of cloud services by the federal government. FedRAMP empowers agencies to use modern cloud technologies, with an emphasis on security and protection of federal information.

FedRAMP is a government-wide program that promotes the adoption of secure cloud services across the federal government by providing a standardized approach to security and risk assessment for cloud technologies and federal agencies.  

Benefits:

• Reduces duplicative efforts, inconsistencies, and cost inefficiencies. 
• Establishes a public-private partnership to promote innovation and the advancement of more secure information technologies. 
• Enables the federal government to accelerate the adoption of cloud computing by creating transparent standards and processes for security authorizations and allowing agencies to leverage security authorizations on a government-wide scale. 

Goals:

• Grow the use of secure cloud technologies in use by government agencies. 
• Enhance the framework by which the government secures and authorizes cloud technologies. 
• Build and foster strong partnerships with FedRAMP stakeholders.

Legal Framework:

FedRAMP standardizes security requirements for the authorization and ongoing cybersecurity of cloud services in accordance with FISMA , OMB Circular A-130 , and FedRAMP policy.

FISMA 

Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requires agencies to protect federal information    

OMB Circular A-130 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) states that when agencies implement FISMA, they must use National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and guidelines.    

FedRAMP Policy 

FedRAMP leverages National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and guidelines to provide standardized security requirements for cloud services; a conformity assessment program; standardized authorization packages and contract language; and a repository for authorization packages