Government data breaches and cybersecurity attacks are on the rise – with 2016 being a red letter year for the threats – making the protection of sensitive data more critical now than ever before.
Major cloud service providers, or CSPs, are responsible for implementing client security controls through FedRAMP, a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.
A FedRAMP cloud certification designates that a CSP is explicitly trusted by the government.
Is yours?
Cloud providers achieve security controls in the following ways:
- Implementing hundreds of rigorous security controls required by FedRAMP for CSP certification
- Submitting required documentation and independent assessments to the federal government to receive and maintain authorization
- Adhering to continuous monitoring requirements
- Hiring an independent third party assessment organization (3PAO) to perform ongoing assessments
FedRAMP cloud certification provides assurance to government agencies that all required security standards are being met, serving as an added layer of trust, and often resulting in expedited time-to-market.
According to FedRAMP’s official website, additional benefits for federal agencies and taxpayers that use a major cloud service provider’s services include:
- Reuse of existing security assessments across multiple agencies
- A "do once, use many times" framework, which saves agencies significant funds, time, and resources
- Real-time security visibility via continuous monitoring and routine reviews of CSP vulnerability
- Risk-based security management
- Transparency between government and major cloud service providers
FedRAMP, itself, has set some impressive goals over the course of the next year, from doubling the number of last year’s authorizations to reducing the time to receive a provisional authority to operate (P-ATO) to less than 6 months, and aiming for a total of 50 major cloud service providers to be FedRAMP cloud ready.
Currently, GovDataHosting remains one of few major cloud service providers nationwide to have achieved a FedRAMP certified Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) to provide services for government entities. Our authorization was issued by a FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board (JAB) comprised of DoD CIO, DHS CIO and GSA CIO, which means all government agencies, including the DoD, can leverage our cloud services to support their mission.
Contact us today to find out how GovDataHosting can make an impact as your cloud service provider.
