The Road to FedRAMP: What to Expect on Your Journey to FedRAMP Authorization

Originally published by BARR Advisory.

Navigating the road to FedRAMP authorization can feel daunting—but for cloud service providers (CSPs) aiming to deliver solutions to the federal government, it’s an essential step toward unlocking new business opportunities. 

From understanding the basics of FedRAMP to maintaining continuous monitoring post-authorization, each stage of the journey requires strategic planning and execution. Whether you’re just starting to explore FedRAMP or are well on your way to authorization, having a clear roadmap can make all the difference.

At BARR Advisory, we’ve developed a FedRAMP Market Maturity Model that serves as a blueprint for organizations aiming to achieve FedRAMP authorization. Here’s what to expect during every phase of the process:

Level 1: Awareness and Early Engagement

At this stage of the authorization process, you’re considering delivery of cloud-native services to the federal government, but aren’t sure where to start. You have basic knowledge of FedRAMP, but could benefit from a more detailed understanding.

Your goal during this phase should be to learn about FedRAMP, its importance, and its implications, as well as gain a solid understanding of the basics of cloud security. In addition, you should begin to consider how FedRAMP aligns with your business and growth strategies.

Level 2: Preparation and Architectural Analysis

Now, you’ve decided to move forward and understand the need for FedRAMP compliance. You’re committed to gaining a deeper understanding of the road ahead and are ready to establish a starting point.

The next step is to perform a thorough scoping analysis, inventory your current systems, and begin initial risk assessments, considering architectural requirements driven by FedRAMP.

Level 3: Gap Analysis and Compliance Planning

Once you reach this phase of the authorization process, you’ll have a clear understanding of your FedRAMP scope and the architectural status of your current or planned environment. Your team is ready and committed to engaging in thoughtful discussions about people, processes, and technology across all aspects of your cloud service operations.

Now, it’s time to begin planning for and reviewing your compliance against the controls and core competencies implicated by FedRAMP. 

Level 4: Compliance Implementation

At this point, you’ve identified your FedRAMP compliance gaps and are ready to address them. You have developed a holistic action plan and have the necessary backing to invest in required resources, such as people, processes, and technology.

Your primary goals at this stage should be to address any identified compliance gaps, build out your FedRAMP environment, complete the FedRAMP SSP, and prepare for the FedRAMP assessment.

Level 5: Maintenance & Continuous Monitoring

You’ve done it! Your organization is FedRAMP authorized or nearing assessment—but the work isn’t over yet. Now, your focus should be on maintaining compliance and implementing continuous monitoring. This means regularly reviewing and updating security controls, conducting ongoing risk assessments, and working to continuously improve your cloud services.