Taking FedRAMP from an Idea to Authorization
A mid-sized software company, specializing in cloud-based solutions for data analytics, faced the challenge of achieving FedRAMP compliance to expand its market into the federal sector. The company, while technically proficient, lacked the in-depth knowledge of federal compliance requirements and the documentation rigor needed for FedRAMP. They engaged The Compliance Working Group, Justin, known for his expertise in FedRAMP advisory services, to guide them through the process. The consultant's role was to assess the current security posture, identify gaps, and develop a comprehensive strategy for compliance.
The company executed a gap analysis and Justin analyzed the results for remediation prioritization. Justin recommended steps to accomplish closing most of the identified risks and created documentation to fill in gaps. Leveraging his understanding of NIST SP 800-53, FedRAMP Moderate, and FISMA requirements he worked closely with the company's product, operations and security teams to document the existing security controls, policies, and procedures, ensuring they aligned with FedRAMP standards. This included establishing the System Security Plan (SSP) to detail how security controls were implemented and managing the Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) to address any identified vulnerabilities or compliance issues. Justin’s expertise in cloud security and familiarity with AWS, Snowflake, Okta and Rapid7 were instrumental in designing a system architecture that met FedRAMP's stringent requirements.
The result of this collaboration was a significantly accelerated path to FedRAMP authorization. The consultant's strategic planning and documentation assistance not only prepared the company for a successful 3PAO assessment but also established a robust continuous monitoring program. This program ensured that the company could maintain compliance post-authorization, reducing the risk of future non-compliance issues. The software company not only achieved FedRAMP Ready status but also received an Authorization to Operate (ATO) within 15 months, a process that typically takes much longer. This success story highlights the critical role of a skilled compliance and risk consultant in navigating the complexities of FedRAMP, enabling the company to maintain existing federal contracts and expand its market reach effectively.
Compliance Working Group is still our first call for complex technical questions as architectural changes and FedRAMP program changes occur to make sure we are setting ourselves up for success.
