FedRAMP automation services – A game-changer for government agencies

The FedRAMP has transformed the way government agencies approach cloud security. This standard provides an approach for the assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud products and services. It allows agencies to rapidly leverage modern cloud technologies while ensuring consistent security across all government organizations. Achieving FedRAMP certification has historically been a lengthy, costly, and resource-intensive process for cloud service providers. The traditional FedRAMP assessment process relies heavily on manual review, documentation, and testing procedures. This results in most small-to-medium CSPs struggling to bear the high costs and internal personnel needs of FedRAMP authorization.

FedRAMP automation is emerging as a game-changing solution to streamline and accelerate FedRAMP compliance for CSPs. It employs intelligent software tools to automate major portions of the FedRAMP process, including documentation, system security assessments, and continuous monitoring. It allows CSPs to reduce FedRAMP costs by up to 50% and achieve authorization in half the traditional timeframe.

Rise of FedRAMP automation services

Third-party automation providers now offer a full suite of FedRAMP automation services delivered via secure SaaS platforms. It allows CSPs to automate compliance without large upfront investments in proprietary software tools and extensive IT infrastructure. Providers like PowerUP are leading the way in FedRAMP automation. PowerUP’s platform automates the full spectrum of assessment and authorization automation capabilities.

• SSP and SAR automation – Intelligent form builders, templates, and writing assistants streamline the development of critical System Security and Security Assessment Reports.
• Testing automation – Automated scanning, penetration testing, and data analysis aid in infrastructure vulnerability detection and remediation tracking.
• Continuous monitoring – Ongoing scans, data aggregation, and dashboards enable continuous compliance monitoring.
• Collaboration and workflow – Collaboration tools connect CSP teams with 3PAO auditors and FedRAMP officials to streamline review and authorization.

This “automation-as-a-service” approach provides a scalable and flexible FedRAMP automation solution for CSPs eager to accelerate their path to FedRAMP Ready or FedRAMP Authorized status.

FedRAMP automation use cases

Early-stage SaaS companies build in FedRAMP compliance from the start in a streamlined, cost-effective manner. Mature SaaS companies automate monitoring and sustain a compliant posture more efficiently. Infrastructure providers accelerate FedRAMP readiness across their portfolio of cloud data centers and services. Organizations combining public and private clouds unify security controls and automation across hybrid environments. MSPs achieve FedRAMP authorization once for their managed services, then efficiently scale across new government customers. This automation has reached a tipping point where both technology capabilities and market adoption are accelerating exponentially. For CSPs seeking authorization, it is now prudent to evaluate automation-centered approaches that streamline processes, reduce costs, and speed revenue realization.

As innovative companies drive new advances in fedramp certifications, compliance-as-a-service will become the de facto standard for cost-effective and accelerated FedRAMP assessments. Government agencies will also benefit from these advances as more technology providers achieve Ready status and deliver innovative solutions to the public sector. The message for CSPs interested in government market share is clear automation must now become an integral part of your authorization strategy. The automation era has arrived for FedRAMP, enabling a new generation of secure government cloud services.