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GovRAMP

GovRAMP was developed with procurement and IT officials in mind – to bridge the gap between the two offices and provide a framework of cybersecurity standards for government contractors. All too often, procurement officials are challenged with procuring the best cloud services and software for the lowest price, without the tools or resources to verify cybersecurity compliance.

While state and local governments have begun to take steps to secure their own databases, not much has been done to validate the oversight and protection of third-party cloud service providers with whom they do business.

Key Components of GovRAMP Assessment

This form of cybersecurity evaluation was designed to ensure that cloud service providers that work with state and local governments meet specific standards when dealing with the security of sensitive data. GovRAMP is modeled after FedRAMP,  the cloud security standards required by the federal government.

A third-party assessment begins with reviewing the key assets of the organization and prioritizing their value to the business. These range from security gap analysis, data collection, general cloud security, employee training, and more.

Changes are recommended to meet the security compliance standards, and continuous monitoring is established to maintain them. Thorough documentation is also required.

GovRAMP Assessment Process

Some initial research is first required to understand the GovRAMP requirements. Finding a third-party assessor like Continuum GRC can smooth the process. There’s a readiness assessment, which is optional, but it will better help identify security gaps for compliance that need to be addressed.

There are various report levels that need to be addressed, detailing specific security controls and procedures, plans of action, secure cloud services, and the like. Extensive documentation is also required, followed by an executive summary for review by the government. An experienced third-party assessor can expertly navigate your organization through this complex path to achieve this important certification.

Why Choose US?

Continuum GRC has years of experience working through the evolving requirements for high-level certifications. We know and understand the small details that can throw off the process and slow it down. We get ahead of those things to keep it all moving forward. 

Any kind of certification or compliance program that touches on the government necessarily demands exceptional thoroughness and care. We have the expertise to assess where you are, make sensible recommendations, help you implement them, and then assist in the required monitoring and needed documentation. Going it alone is costly, time-consuming, and eats up resources. Let us handle it.

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About the Standard

GovRAMP, formerly known as StateRAMP, is a nonprofit organization designed to standardize and streamline cybersecurity compliance for cloud service providers (CSPs) serving state, local, tribal, and educational (SLTT) government entities. Modeled after the federal FedRAMP program, GovRAMP provides a unified framework for assessing, authorizing, and continuously monitoring cloud services to ensure robust security for government data. Below is a comprehensive overview of GovRAMP compliance, including its purpose, key components, requirements, and processes.

Purpose of GovRAMP

GovRAMP aims to simplify cybersecurity compliance for CSPs and government agencies by:

• Standardizing security assessment processes to reduce redundancy.
• Providing a “verify once, serve many” model, allowing CSPs to achieve compliance once and serve multiple government entities.
• Protecting sensitive government data and critical infrastructure.
• Facilitating secure cloud adoption for state and local governments.
• Reducing compliance burdens and costs for both CSPs and government agencies.

It was rebranded from StateRAMP to GovRAMP in February 2025 to reflect its broader mission of unifying cybersecurity standards across various government levels, including state, local, tribal, and educational institutions. As of April 2025, over two dozen states and public education institutions, such as Alabama, Arizona, California, and others, have adopted GovRAMP.

Key Components of GovRAMP Compliance

1. NIST 800-53 Framework:
   • GovRAMP is built on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5, which provides a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls.
   • It covers approximately 380 of the 420 NIST 800-53 controls, tailored to address cloud-specific security needs for state and local governments.
   • The framework ensures protection against cyber threats, insider threats, and data breaches while maintaining data privacy, especially for personally identifiable information (PII).
2. Impact Levels:
   • GovRAMP categorizes cloud services based on data sensitivity and system criticality into four impact levels:
     • Low: Publicly available, non-sensitive data with basic controls.
     • Low+: Limited sensitive data with enhanced controls (Low-Moderate hybrid).
     • Moderate: Confidential data and critical systems requiring comprehensive controls.
     • High: Sensitive and critical systems with stringent controls, equivalent to FedRAMP High.
   • CSPs must align their security controls with the appropriate impact level based on a risk assessment and data classification, often using GovRAMP’s Data Classification Tool.
3. Third-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs):
   • Compliance requires independent audits by accredited 3PAOs, which validate and verify security controls.
   • 3PAOs conduct vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and in-depth security control reviews, producing key documents like the Security Assessment Report (SAR).
4. Continuous Monitoring:
   • Continuous monitoring is a cornerstone of GovRAMP compliance, ensuring ongoing security through:
     • Monthly vulnerability scans and reports.
     • Annual assessments by 3PAOs.
     • Incident reporting and remediation plans (Plan of Actions and Milestones, POA&M).
   • This ensures CSPs maintain compliance and adapt to evolving threats.
5. Security Statuses:
   • GovRAMP assigns statuses to CSPs based on their compliance progress, listed on the Authorized Product List (APL):
     • Verified Offerings:
       • Core: Meets 60 moderate-level NIST 800-53 controls (introduced May 2025), ideal for newer or smaller providers. Requires quarterly monitoring.
       • Ready: Meets minimum security requirements with 3PAO assessment.
       • Provisional: Exceeds minimum requirements and includes a government sponsor.
       • Authorized: Fully compliant with all required controls, government sponsor, and ongoing monitoring.
     • Progressing Offerings:
       • Active: Working toward Ready status.
       • In Process: Working toward Authorized status.
       • Pending: Security package submitted, awaiting PMO review.
   • Authorized and Provisional statuses require a government sponsor, though the GovRAMP Approvals Committee can act as a sponsor if needed.

Authorization Process

The GovRAMP authorization process involves several steps to ensure CSPs meet security standards:

1. Become a GovRAMP Member: CSPs must join GovRAMP to access resources and initiate the process.
2. Complete a Security Snapshot: An initial self-assessment to evaluate the CSP’s security posture.
3. Identify Impact Level and Desired Status: Determine the appropriate impact level (Low, Low+, Moderate, High) and target status (e.g., Ready, Authorized).
4. Select a 3PAO: Engage an accredited 3PAO for independent validation.
5. Prepare Documentation: Key documents include:
   • System Security Plan (SSP): Details the system’s security controls and architecture.
   • Security Assessment Report (SAR): Evaluates security control effectiveness.
   • Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M): Outlines remediation for identified gaps.
   • Readiness Assessment Report (RAR): Confirms readiness for formal assessment.
   • Security Controls Matrix: Maps controls to NIST 800-53 requirements.
6. Submit Security Review Request: The security package is submitted to the GovRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) for review.
7. Continuous Monitoring: Post-authorization, CSPs must maintain compliance through regular monitoring and reporting.

Differences Between GovRAMP and FedRAMP

While GovRAMP mirrors FedRAMP, key differences include:

• Scope: GovRAMP focuses on state, local, tribal, and educational entities, while FedRAMP targets federal agencies.
• Sponsorship: GovRAMP allows authorization without a government sponsor (via the Approvals Committee), unlike FedRAMP, which requires a federal agency sponsor.
• Flexibility: GovRAMP offers more flexible compliance pathways and is considered more cost-effective and agile.
• Fast Track: CSPs with FedRAMP Ready status can bypass certain GovRAMP audit steps, expediting authorization.

Benefits of GovRAMP Compliance

• Enhanced Credibility: Inclusion on the Authorized Product List boosts trust among government clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Stronger Security Posture: NIST 800-53 controls protect against cyber threats, reducing risks of breaches and data loss.
• Cost Savings: Standardized compliance reduces redundant assessments, saving time and resources.
• Improved Procurement Efficiency: Governments can procure services faster with pre-verified CSPs.
• Cross-Framework Alignment: GovRAMP overlaps with FedRAMP, SOC 2, and ISO 27001, facilitating compliance with multiple standards.
• Support for AI Security: In April 2025, GovRAMP launched an AI Security Task Force to address cybersecurity risks in AI-enabled cloud services.

Compliance Challenges

• Documentation Burden: Preparing comprehensive documents like SSPs and SARs is time-consuming and resource-intensive.
• Cost and Time: Achieving compliance, especially for higher impact levels, can take 6–24 months and requires significant investment.
• Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing assessments and reporting demand sustained effort and resources.
• Varying State Requirements: While GovRAMP standardizes processes, some states may have unique requirements, adding complexity.

GovRAMP Core: A New Compliance Path

Introduced in May 2025, GovRAMP Core is a lighter compliance option for newer or smaller CSPs. It requires meeting 60 moderate-level NIST 800-53 controls and quarterly monitoring, serving as an intermediate step toward full authorization. This makes compliance more accessible while maintaining robust security standards.

Practical Steps for Compliance

1. Assess Data Sensitivity: Use GovRAMP’s Data Classification Tool to determine the appropriate impact level.
2. Engage a 3PAO Early: Partner with an accredited 3PAO to guide the assessment process.
3. Develop Robust Documentation: Invest in creating detailed SSPs, SARs, and POA&Ms to demonstrate compliance.
4. Implement NIST Controls: Align systems with NIST 800-53 controls, focusing on the relevant impact level.
5. Plan for Continuous Monitoring: Establish processes for monthly scans, annual assessments, and incident response.
6. Leverage Fast Track (if applicable): CSPs with FedRAMP authorization can use the Fast Track program to expedite GovRAMP compliance.

Conclusion

GovRAMP provides a structured, NIST-based framework to ensure secure cloud services for state and local governments. By standardizing security assessments, requiring 3PAO audits, and enforcing continuous monitoring, it enhances trust and efficiency in government procurement. CSPs achieving GovRAMP compliance gain a competitive edge in the SLTT market, while governments benefit from stronger cybersecurity and streamlined processes. For detailed guidance, CSPs and agencies can refer to resources on the official GovRAMP website (govramp.org) or consult with compliance experts like Continuum GRC or Lazarus Alliance.

azing Benefits