FedRAMP and FIPS 140-2/140-3 Encryption Validation

May 7, 2025 Continuum GRC 0 Comment

Abstract numbers and mesh on a blue background

Achieving FedRAMP authorization requires a hardened approach to cryptographic validation beyond shallow ciphers. For CSPs, simply saying that you use AES-256 or support TLS without verified, validated cryptographic modules introduces fatal flaws into authorization efforts.

To succeed, CSPs must build systems that assume validation is an operational need and not something they do after the fact. They must also recognize that misinterpretations of FIPS requirements can derail otherwise sound security architectures during 3PAO audits or agency reviews.

Awareness

Signal, Messaging, and Compliance: A Deep Dive into Compliance with HIPAA, FedRAMP, and Broader Security

May 1, 2025 Continuum GRC 0 Comment

End-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal have gained widespread traction in the news (for better or worse). The app is widely praised for its robust encryption model, minimal data collection, and open-source transparency, and journalists, activists, and security-conscious executives have turned to Signal as a trusted tool for secure communication.

But while Signal excels in privacy, does it meet the requirements for regulated industries like healthcare, government contracting, or critical infrastructure?

This article will explore whether Signal is an appropriate tool for organizations operating under major compliance frameworks such as HIPAA, FedRAMP, CMMC, CJIS, and others. The analysis is aimed at IT professionals, CISOs, compliance officers, and decision-makers evaluating communication tools in high-assurance environments.

Awareness Frameworks

CMMC and Biometric Authentication

Apr 25, 2025 Continuum GRC 0 Comment

A critical component of CMMC is the robust authentication mechanisms that it requires, including biometric authentication, which plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive information. As biometrics become more common and available across organizations, standards are evolving to incorporate this substantial identification measure.

This article covers the technical aspects of CMMC’s authentication requirements, emphasizing the integration of biometric authentication and providing guides on achieving compliance based on official documentation.