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FedRAMP for the Private Sector: A FedRAMP Compliant Private Cloud Benefits Commercial Businesses, Too

by Robert Dougherty updated December 28, 2023 Regulatory Compliance

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FedRAMP for the private sector enables commercial business to take advantage of cloud solutions that the U.S. federal government has certified to provide rigorous security controls, as this post explains.

Table of Contents

What Is FedRAMP?

FedRAMP is the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, which is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by U.S. federal agencies. It is designed to reduce risk and improve the security of cloud services used by U.S. federal agencies.

FedRAMP is not just for government agencies, but rather any organization, including those in the private sector. Commercial businesses may use the FedRAMP framework to simplify their security processes and use an authorized (read: vetted at the highest level) cloud solution to store, process, share, and manage sensitive information. In addition, FedRAMP provides a variety of tools and guidance that can help private organizations more effectively manage the security of their cloud services.

By using a FedRAMP compliant solution, government contractors and private sector businesses demonstrate their commitment to protecting the confidential information they share with U.S. government agencies, customers, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders.

What it Means to be FedRAMP Compliant

FedRAMP compliance is critical, as FedRAMP is the primary system used by federal agencies to assess and authorize cloud services for use by staff. Becoming FedRAMP compliant involves meeting a rigorous set of security requirements and processes. Using a FedRAMP compliant file sharing or file transfer solution, whether it’s email, managed file transfer (MFT), secure file transfer protocol (SFTP), or another communication channel, is critical for any organization that aims to demonstrate the highest levels of security for the information they process, store, and share.

What Are FedRAMP Governance Bodies?

FedRAMP Governance Bodies provide valuable services to the federal government, private sector, and other organizations by helping to ensure security and compliance of cloud-based computing products and services. The Governance Bodies develop and establish FedRAMP policies and guidance, advocate for secure cloud adoption, coordinate and facilitate implementation across the government, develop and review FedRAMP baselines, review and approve baseline security requirements, and serve as a source of information, guidance, and assistance.

These Governance Bodies provide assurance to the government and other organizations on the security of FedRAMP compliant cloud computing services and help protect the privacy, integrity, and availability of the data stored in the cloud. These FedRAMP governance bodies include:

FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO): This office is responsible for providing guidance, governance, and oversight for the program.
FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board (JAB): The JAB is responsible for authorizing cloud service offerings at the Moderate Impact level or higher, and for reviewing and approving policies, procedures, and guidance for the program.
Third Party Assessor Organization (3PAO): These organizations are accredited by the JAB to provide independent assessments of cloud service providers.
FedRAMP Tailored Program: This program provides tailored guidance and oversight to agencies seeking authorization to use cloud services at the Low Impact level.
FedRAMP Oversight Management Council (FOMC): The FOMC is responsible for providing guidance and oversight to ensure the success of the program.
FedRAMP Security Monitoring Working Group (SMWG): This working group is responsible for providing guidance and best practices related to security monitoring within the FedRAMP environment.

FedRAMP for Government Agencies

As part its “Cloud First” initiative to drive cloud adoption across the federal government, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, or FedRAMP, was created to enable government agencies to quickly, rigorously, and consistently assess the security capabilities of cloud solutions.

As a FedRAMP-authorized cloud solution, U.S. federal agencies have official validation that the Kiteworks secure file sharing and governance platform is a superior solution for enabling government employees to securely access and share sensitive information.

But FedRAMP for the private sector means commercial businesses can also utilize a FedRAMP compliant cloud storage solution and therefore leverage the same level of control, visibility, and confidence that government agencies do when storing and sharing sensitive information.

Compliance and Certification Table

Kiteworks touts a long list of compliance and certification achievements.

FedRAMP for the Private Sector

Many commercial businesses contract with government agencies and are strongly encouraged, and in some cases required, to use a FedRAMP-authorized solution to share information. Whether encouraged or required, using a FedRAMP-authorized solution to share sensitive information is a best practice.

FedRAMP for the private sector looks like this: a manufacturing company that makes components for missile systems. In order for the company to work with the Department of Defense, they must be ITAR compliant. ITAR, or International Traffic in Arms Regulations, is a regulation established to control (read: limit) the export of defense and military related technologies to safeguard U.S. national security. An ITAR violation can result in costly criminal or civil penalties, being barred from future business with the government, and in extreme cases, imprisonment. Because highly sensitive information is being shared, DoD needs to be convinced that the information is shared and stored securely with only authorized persons granted access.

Because the Kiteworks platform is FedRAMP authorized, the component manufacturer’s choice to use it demonstrates to DoD a shared commitment to data security and privacy.

But FedRAMP for the private sector doesn’t just apply to government contractors.

FedRAMP for the private sector also looks like this: a technology company that hosts a global support web portal enabling customers to upload large files, logs and system dumps and receive case numbers assigned to appropriate folders. This upload activity occurs in parallel with hundreds of thousands of customer devices that “phone home” and upload files and system dumps to designated customer support teams. At any given time, there are 50-100 concurrent connections uploading reams of data to homegrown solutions, shared drives and an FTP server. In short, lots of customer data is being generated, shared and stored and it all needs to happen with the highest levels of security and compliance.

FedRAMP for the private sector would enable this company to ensure that the uploading and storage of this data is handled with rigorous security controls. By adopting Kiteworks FedRAMP compliant platform to manage these file transfers, the company can reduce threats of data leaks and demonstrate to its customers that it takes security seriously.

What Types of Businesses Need to Be FedRAMP Compliant?

Businesses that handle, store, or transmit federal government information—whether it’s in the form of data or services—are required to have a FedRAMP authorization. This includes cloud service providers, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) vendors, and other organizations that provide services to the federal government or their contractor partners. Examples of businesses that may need to be FedRAMP compliant include: IT service providers, telecommunication companies, software companies, healthcare organizations, government contractors, and educational institutions.

FedRAMP Authorization Process

The FedRAMP authorization process begins with a cloud service provider (CSP) submitting a system security plan (SSP) to the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO). The PMO then reviews the SSP and assigns a FedRAMP PMO-approved Third Party Assessor Organization (3PAO) that will conduct an independent security assessment of the CSP’s system. Once the 3PAO has completed the assessment, the PMO reviews the assessment and provides either a provisional or full Authority to Operate (ATO) to the CSP.

The CSP then begins the ongoing monitoring phase, which involves ongoing security monitoring, threat assessment, and general security health of the system. During this phase, the CSP must comply with FedRAMP’s requirements for security and audit artifacts, system security plans, and security policies. The CSP must also conduct regular reviews of their system to identify and address any security risks or vulnerabilities.

The FedRAMP PMO then reviews the CSP’s security artifacts and provides certification that the CSP is in compliance with the FedRAMP requirements. Once the PMO completes the review, the CSP will receive a continuous monitoring ATO (CM-ATO). After the CSP receives the CM-ATO, the CSP is then able to apply for a full ATO, which will allow the CSP to offer their cloud services to federal agencies.

The FedRAMP authorization process is a rigorous, yet necessary procedure that CSPs must go through in order to provide cloud services to federal agencies. It involves submitting a system security plan, undergoing security assessments, and abiding by ongoing monitoring requirements. By following this process, CSPs can ensure the security of their systems and provide services to the federal government with confidence.

Kiteworks and FedRAMP for the Private Sector

Whether you need FedRAMP for the private sector or for government agencies, organizations using the Kiteworks platform have full control of their sensitive content. They also have full visibility into where sensitive content is stored, who has access to it and what’s being done with it. All file activity is auditable and allows organizations to demonstrate compliance with a variety of rigorous government regulations.

And as a FedRAMP-authorized cloud solution, the Kiteworks platform meets all the security requirements listed in NIST 800-171.

When commercial businesses choose Kiteworks FedRAMP Moderate authorized secure file sharing and governance solution, they demonstrate to their partners and customers that data security is a top priority. And having FedRAMP Moderate authorization as a baseline set of security controls provides commercial businesses a distinct competitive advantage. It’s a commitment to the highest level of content security.

Whether you have to comply with the government’s Cloud First policy or are interested in learning more about FedRAMP for the private sector, Kiteworks FedRAMP authorized secure file sharing and governance platform can help.

Additional Resources