by Michael Peters
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FedRAMP and Compliant Platforms: Don’t Cut Corners

In today’s highly regulated environment, federal agencies and their contractors must navigate a complex landscape of security requirements. For BDMs and TDMs, understanding and leveraging FedRAMP-compliant platforms is crucial for successfully navigating the authorization process and ensuring long-term operational security.

This article will focus on why it’s crucial to find and work with security tools and platforms already FedRAMP compliant to support ongoing requirements and ensure there aren’t any gaps in security and governance.

 

Understanding FedRAMP Compliance

FedRAMP is designed to provide a standardized approach to security for cloud services used by federal agencies. It establishes security requirements that cloud service providers must meet to receive an Authorization to Operate from a federal agency. 

Achieving FedRAMP compliance involves several steps, including a thorough security assessment by a third-party assessment organization (3PAO), implementing necessary security controls, and monitoring these controls to ensure continued compliance. For federal agencies, working with a FedRAMP-compliant platform means they can rely on a CSP that has already demonstrated its ability to meet these high standards, thereby reducing the time and effort required to secure an ATO.

 

Necessity of Working with a FedRAMP-Compliant Platform

CGRC FedRAMP GearThe decision to work with a FedRAMP-compliant platform offers several critical benefits beyond mere compliance. These benefits are essential for agencies and their partners looking to streamline the FedRAMP authorization process and ensure the highest levels of security.

  • Security Assurance: These platforms have undergone extensive testing and evaluation to ensure they meet the rigorous security requirements of FedRAMP. Federal agencies can trust these platforms to protect sensitive government data, reducing the risk of security breaches and data leaks. This level of security is a regulatory requirement and a critical component of maintaining national security.
  • Streamlined Authorization Process: Working with a FedRAMP-compliant platform can significantly streamline this process. Since these platforms have already met the necessary security requirements, agencies can focus on other aspects of the authorization process, such as tailoring the platform to their specific needs and ensuring it integrates seamlessly with their existing systems. This can lead to faster authorization times, allowing agencies to deploy cloud services more quickly and efficiently.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: While achieving FedRAMP compliance can be costly and time-consuming, partnering with a FedRAMP-compliant platform can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By working with a platform already invested in meeting FedRAMP standards, agencies can avoid the expenses of developing and implementing their compliance measures. This means better products and lower costs.
  • Credibility and Trust: Credibility is critical in the highly competitive federal contracting space. Agencies are likelier to trust and partner with vendors, demonstrating a solid commitment to security and compliance. By working with a FedRAMP-compliant platform, agencies can bolster their credibility and build trust with federal clients. This can lead to more opportunities for future contracts and collaborations as agencies and contractors increasingly prioritize security in their procurement decisions.

 

The Role of BDMs and TDMs in FedRAMP Authorization

BDMs and TDMs play critical roles in the FedRAMP authorization process. Their expertise and strategic decisions can significantly influence the success of an agency’s compliance efforts.

  • Business Leadership: BDMS’s primary responsibility is identifying potential platforms and partners that align with the agency’s security and operational needs. This involves conducting thorough market research, evaluating the FedRAMP status of various CSPs, and negotiating contracts prioritizing security and compliance. BDMS must also consider the long-term implications of these partnerships, ensuring that the chosen platform can scale and adapt to future regulatory changes.
  • Technical Leadership: TDMs, on the other hand, are tasked with evaluating the technical aspects of FedRAMP compliance. This includes assessing the security controls implemented by the platform, ensuring that they meet the agency’s specific requirements, and verifying that the platform can integrate seamlessly with the agency’s existing infrastructure. TDMs must also stay informed about the latest developments in cloud security and FedRAMP requirements to make informed decisions that support the agency’s long-term goals.
  • Collaboration: Collaboration between BDMS and TDMs is crucial to successful FedRAMP authorization. By working together, these professionals can ensure that the platform’s business and technical aspects align with the agency’s needs. This collaborative approach also helps to identify and mitigate potential risks early in the process, reducing the likelihood of delays or complications during the authorization process.

Challenges and Best Practices

Despite the many benefits of working with a FedRAMP-compliant platform, agencies and their partners may also need help with the authorization process. Leadership must assess vendors with a clear plan and prioritize engagement with CSPs early to understand their FedRAMP status. This includes collaborating closely with internal teams to meet all security and operational requirements. Regular compliance checks and audits are necessary for maintaining FedRAMP certification and addressing potential issues. These requirements can be baked into contracts and agreements beforehand, but if the platform is already FedRAMP Authorized, then that process becomes much, much easier. 

 

Work with a FedRAMP-Compliant, Cloud-Based, and AI-Powered Solution–Continuum GRC

If you’re a BDM or a TDM tasked with adopting robust FedRAMP-compliant infrastructure, ensure you work with a security partner that can handle FedRAMP because they are already FedRAMP-compliant. That partner is Continuum GRC.

Achieving CJIS accreditation is a complex but essential process for organizations handling criminal justice information. Advanced BDMs and TDMs play critical roles in this journey, ensuring that data is protected through robust security measures. 

Continuum GRC is a cloud platform that stays ahead of the curve, including support for all certifications (along with our sister company and assessors, Lazarus Alliance). We provide risk management and compliance support for every major regulation and compliance framework on the market, including:

We are the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized compliance and risk management solution worldwide.

Continuum GRC is a proactive cyber security® and the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized cybersecurity audit platform worldwide. Call 1-888-896-6207 to discuss your organization’s cybersecurity needs and learn how we can help protect its systems and ensure compliance.

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