What is FedRAMP and who does it apply to?

FedRAMP is the federal government's program for standardizing the security assessment and authorization of cloud services. It applies to any cloud service provider (CSP) that wants to offer cloud products or services to federal agencies. This includes IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS providers. If a federal agency uses your cloud service to process, store, or transmit federal data, you need FedRAMP authorization.

How long does it take to get FedRAMP authorized?

The timeline varies by impact level and organizational readiness. For a Moderate impact authorization (the most common), expect 12 to 18 months from preparation through final authorization decision. Organizations with existing compliance certifications like SOC 2 or ISO 27001 may achieve authorization more quickly because many controls already meet FedRAMP requirements. PTG's AI-powered tools can compress preparation timelines by 30%.

What is the difference between a JAB P-ATO and an Agency ATO?

A JAB P-ATO is granted by the Joint Authorization Board (DoD, DHS, GSA CIOs) and is considered the most rigorous authorization. An Agency ATO is granted by a specific sponsoring federal agency. Both result in a listing on the FedRAMP Marketplace and can be reused by other agencies. The Agency ATO path is generally faster because you work with one sponsoring agency rather than the three-agency JAB. Approximately 70% of FedRAMP authorizations follow the Agency ATO path.

How much does FedRAMP authorization cost?

Total costs for a Moderate impact authorization typically range from $550,000 to $1.45 million, including readiness assessment, remediation, documentation, and 3PAO assessment. Annual continuous monitoring adds $100,000 to $250,000 per year. Low impact authorizations cost less ($250,000 to $550,000), while High impact authorizations can exceed $2.5 million. PTG helps organizations reduce these costs through automation and efficient preparation.

What is a 3PAO and why is it required?

A Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) is an independent security assessor accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). FedRAMP requires 3PAO assessment to ensure objectivity; the CSP cannot self-assess. The 3PAO conducts penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, control validation, and produces the Security Assessment Report (SAR) that the authorizing body uses to make its decision.

How does FedRAMP relate to NIST SP 800-53?

FedRAMP baselines are built directly on NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 controls. FedRAMP selects controls from the 800-53 Low, Moderate, or High baselines and adds FedRAMP-specific parameter values and additional requirements. For example, where 800-53 might say "organization-defined frequency" for vulnerability scanning, FedRAMP specifies "monthly." FedRAMP also adds cloud-specific controls not in the standard 800-53 baselines.

Can a FedRAMP authorization help with other compliance frameworks?

Yes. Because FedRAMP builds on NIST 800-53, achieving FedRAMP authorization provides significant overlap with FISMA, StateRAMP, CMMC, and NIST CSF 2.0. Organizations often leverage FedRAMP compliance as a foundation for meeting multiple frameworks simultaneously, reducing total compliance costs. PTG's automated crosswalk tools quantify this overlap for each client.

What happens if we fail the 3PAO assessment?

A 3PAO assessment does not result in a simple pass/fail. The 3PAO documents findings with risk ratings (high, moderate, low). The CSP addresses findings through remediation or documents them in a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) with committed remediation timelines. The authorizing body reviews the overall risk posture to make the authorization decision. Organizations that invest in thorough preparation, including PTG's mock assessments, typically have fewer and lower-severity findings.

Does PTG perform 3PAO assessments?

No. PTG is not a 3PAO and intentionally maintains independence from the formal assessment process. PTG serves as your readiness and advisory partner, preparing your organization for the 3PAO assessment with the goal of zero or minimal findings. This separation ensures objectivity in the assessment process while giving you the best possible preparation. PTG can recommend qualified 3PAOs based on your specific service model and impact level.

FedRAMP Compliance Guide | Federal Cloud Authorization

2,500+ Businesses Protected Zero Client Breaches Since 2002