Cybersecurity is becoming more and more important for businesses of all sizes. To ensure that your organization is keeping up with the latest industry standards, you must take the time to understand how different compliance frameworks interact with each other. In this article, we'll be looking at how FedRAMP – Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program – maps out its requirements against other compliance frameworks such as HIPAA, PCI and others, and how it helps organizations meet their obligations.
What is FedRAMP?
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. FedRAMP facilitates the shift from insecure, ad hoc cloud deployments to a more secure and cost-effective cloud ecosystem.
FedRAMP is built on the success of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and uses a 'do once, use many times' framework that saves time and money for both service providers and agencies. The program's goal is to provide visibility into the security controls implemented by service providers and give agencies confidence that these controls meet their standards.
In order to obtain a FedRAMP Authorization, service providers must first undergo a comprehensive security assessment by an independent third party assessor. Once the provider's security controls have been verified, they can then apply for Agency Authority to Operate (ATO). The ATO process is different for each agency, but all require evidence that the provider's controls meet or exceed the relevant security requirements.
Once a provider has obtained an ATO from one agency, they can use this authorization to apply for ATOs from other agencies. This 'one authorization to many' process saves time and resources for both service providers and agencies. In addition, it gives agencies confidence that the provider's security controls have been rigorously tested and are adequate to protect federal data.
The FedRAMP program has three tiers of security authorization: Moderate, High, and P-ATO. The level of authorization needed depends on the sensitivity of the data being stored or processed in the cloud.
What is FedRAMP Compliance?
In order to be compliant with FedRAMP, your organization must follow these practices:
- Use strong cryptography to protect the information in transit and at rest.
- Implement security controls and management processes that meet or exceed NIST 800-53 requirements.
- Be able to demonstrate continuous monitoring of your environment.
- Foster transparency by providing access to security documentation upon request.
- Develop an incident response plan that addresses the detection, containment, and recovery of security incidents.
- Undergo regular assessments and audits to ensure compliance with FedRAMP standards.
How Does it Compare to Other Compliance Frameworks?
When it comes to meeting compliance standards, FedRAMP is in a league of its own. Not only does it exceed the requirements of other frameworks like HIPAA and PCI, but it also provides a more comprehensive and centralized approach to compliance.
Here's a quick rundown of how FedRAMP compares to other popular compliance frameworks:
HIPAA: While both Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Land FedRAMP are focused on protecting sensitive data, FedRAMP goes above and beyond what's required by HIPAA. For example, while HIPAA requires covered entities to have security plans in place, FedRAMP requires all federal agencies to implement comprehensive security controls.
PCI: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of guidelines for safeguarding credit card information. While PCI DSS is a useful framework, it doesn't address all aspects of security. For example, PCI DSS doesn't cover cloud-based systems, which are increasingly being used by organizations to store and process credit card information. By contrast, FedRAMP includes specific requirements for cloud-based systems.
Other Compliance Frameworks: FedRAMP also exceeds the requirements of other compliance frameworks, such as NIST 800-53 and ISO 27001. For example, while NIST 800-53 covers general security controls, it doesn't provide specific guidance on how to secure cloud-based systems. Similarly, ISO 27001 focuses on information security management systems, but doesn't provide the same level of detail as FedRAMP.
Benefits of Complying with FedRAMP and Other Compliance Frameworks
There are many benefits of complying with FedRAMP and other compliance frameworks. By doing so, organizations can:
- Leverage existing investments in security and compliance.
- Demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive data.
- Fulfill government requirements for securing data.
- Earn customer trust and confidence.
Compliance with FedRAMP and other compliance frameworks can help organizations save money by leveraging existing investments in security and compliance. In addition, it can help build customer trust and confidence, as well as fulfill government requirements for securing data.
Common Challenges of Implementing FedRAMP Compliance
Despite the fact that FedRAMP compliance offers many benefits, there are also some challenges associated with implementing this type of compliance. One common challenge is the lack of clarity around what is required in order to be compliant. Another challenge is the cost associated with implementing FedRAMP compliance, which can be significant for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, there is a lack of standardization among agencies when it comes to FedRAMP compliance, which can make it difficult to ensure that all requirements are being met.
Tips for Securing and Maintaining a Strong FedRAMP Status
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud products and services. FedRAMP facilitates the shift from insecure, ad-hoc approaches to standardized, secure solutions. Not only does FedRAMP provide guidance and requirements for how to secure data in the cloud, but it also offers a path for authorized cloud products and services to be shared among federal agencies.
To maintain a strong FedRAMP status, organizations must implement security controls and practices that meet the program’s requirements. In addition, they must undergo regular assessments by an independent third party to ensure that their security posture remains strong. Organizations that fail to meet FedRAMP’s requirements may have their authorization revoked.
Here are some tips for securing and maintaining a strong FedRAMP status:
- Implement security controls and practices that meet FedRAMP’s requirements.
- Undergo regular assessments by an independent third party.
- Address any deficiencies identified during assessments in a timely manner.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation of your security posture.
- Communicate with your Authorizing Official on a regular basis to keep them apprised of your organization’s security posture and any changes or updates that have been made.
Conclusion
Mapping out FedRAMP compliance is an important step in understanding how it meets and exceeds other regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, and others. By taking the time to understand the requirements for each set of standards and then aligning them with the FedRAMP framework, organizations can ensure that their cloud-based IT infrastructure is meeting all applicable security requirements. With a comprehensive plan in place, businesses can have peace of mind knowing that their data is secure when using cloud services.
As a leading provider of cloud-based solutions, Quzara is committed to helping our customers meet the strictest security standards. We are proud to offer our FedRAMP Authorization service, which helps streamline the process of achieving compliance with this important regulation. If you are interested in learning more about our FedRAMP Authorization service, or any of our other security solutions, please contact us today. Our team would be happy to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you protect your data and meet your compliance requirements.
