Transforming FedRAMP: Updates Shaping Federal Cloud Security

August 6, 2024

Presented by Carahsoft

At the ATO and Cloud Security Summit, Francis Rose spoke to with industry leaders on recent developments in the FedRAMP program that are poised to bring substantial changes to the landscape of federal cloud security. As the program evolves, it aims to address existing inefficiencies and the overall security within federal agencies. The updates include new standards, a revised governance structure and changes to the process that will impact both agencies and cloud service providers. They explored the anticipated effects of these updates, including cost, efficiency, potential challenges and benefits.

Impact of changes in FedRAMP and Government Representation

Recent updates to FedRAMP are expected to have a significant impact on both the process and results. Initially, there will likely be an increase in costs and resource needs as agencies adapt to new standards and train their workforce. However, these changes are anticipated to enhance security and streamline processes in the long run. This will ultimately reduce costs and resource needs, benefiting everyone involved. The introduction of more stringent security requirements and a more streamlined process is expected to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. The addition of government representatives, such as Amber Pearson from the VA, to the FedRAMP governance board adds to the positive development. This increased government presence can help identify pain points and inform strategies to streamline processes, ultimately making the FedRAMP system more efficient and responsive.

Opportunities and Challenges in Agency Processes

Agencies may be missing opportunities due to their current processes or system limitations. For instance, proactive states like Arizona demonstrate that harmonizing standards and leveraging reciprocity can accelerate acquisition processes and reduce redundancy. Agencies could benefit from adopting similar approaches to avoid redundant reviews and speed up their procurement processes. The new FedRAMP roadmap introduces updates such as Rev5 security control baselines and a new Agile methodology. These changes will increase requirements for vendors, particularly around software composition and supply chain security. While this may cause some short-term inefficiencies and challenges, the long-term goal is to enhance security and foster innovation. The roadmap also includes accelerated processes for obtaining ATOs, which should shorten authorization times and enable more solutions to reach the market faster. 

Adopting Agile Practices in FedRAMP

Transitioning to Agile practices within FedRAMP presents challenges, primarily in scaling and integrating these practices into existing processes. While technical challenges are minimal, the real issue lies in how agencies and programs will adapt their review processes to support Agile methods. Successful implementation will require careful attention to how these new processes are scaled and integrated to ensure effective and efficient adoption.

Conclusion

This discussion at the ATO and Cloud Security Summit demonstrate that the recent updates to FedRAMP are set to significantly enhance cloud security for federal agencies by introducing more stringent standards and a streamlined process. While these changes may initially increase costs and resource needs, they promise long-term benefits such as improved security, reduced costs, and greater efficiency. The addition of more government voices to the FedRAMP governance board will bring valuable insights and help address pain points, while the adoption of harmonized standards and reciprocity practices can accelerate procurement. Although transitioning to Agile practices presents challenges in scaling and integration, the FedRAMP roadmap’s focus on innovation and faster authorizations is expected to drive significant improvements, ultimately fostering a more secure and responsive federal cloud environment.

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