What is FedRAMP?
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a U.S. government program that provides a standardized approach for assessing, authorizing, and monitoring the security of cloud service providers (CSPs) used by federal agencies.
Its mission is clear: ensure the security and protection of federal data in the cloud. By creating a common framework, FedRAMP helps federal agencies adopt secure cloud technologies faster while giving CSPs a clear roadmap for earning trust.
Key components of FedRAMP include:
- Security Assessment: A FedRAMP-accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) evaluates a CSP’s security controls, infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
- Authorization Process: The Joint Authorization Board (JAB) or an individual federal agency reviews and approves the security documentation and assessment reports. Cloud services are authorized at Low, Moderate, or High levels depending on impact and data sensitivity.
- Reusability: Authorizations can be reused across multiple agencies, streamlining the adoption of secure cloud services.
- FedRAMP Marketplace: A central repository where agencies can find CSPs that have achieved FedRAMP authorization.
By standardizing this process, FedRAMP improves consistency, efficiency, and overall security across government cloud adoption.
Why FedRAMP matters
FedRAMP is typically required for CSPs serving U.S. federal customers. Without it, cloud solutions cannot be used by agencies that handle sensitive government data.
But FedRAMP is more than a box to check. It represents:
- Trust and credibility with federal agencies and enterprise customers.
- Operational rigor through strict security requirements and continuous monitoring.
- Competitive advantage in a crowded market, as authorization opens the door to new revenue streams.
FedRAMP also requires continuous monitoring for compliance. Achieving the initial Authority to Operate (ATO) is only the start. CSPs must maintain that status through ongoing monitoring, reporting, and reviews.
User access reviews: A core part of FedRAMP
User access reviews (UARs) play a critical role within FedRAMP’s Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) requirements. These periodic evaluations of user access rights ensure that permissions remain appropriate as roles, responsibilities, and teams evolve.
Why UARs matter for FedRAMP:
- Enforce least privilege and prevent privilege creep.
- Remove orphaned accounts or outdated access rights.
- Reduce the attack surface by limiting excessive permissions.
- Provide required documentation for ongoing audits.
FedRAMP requires UARs at regular cadences, validated against roles, sensitive data, and system access. CSPs must also document and report review results to demonstrate compliance.
How C1 helps CSPs achieve and maintain FedRAMP compliance
ConductorOne was built to make identity governance effortless. Here’s how we help our customers achieve and maintain compliance with FedRAMP:
1. Automated UARs
C1 streamlines scoping, running, and reporting on UARs, reducing manual work and ensuring complete coverage across SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and on-prem environments. CSPs can run reviews on schedule and with confidence that they are aligned to FedRAMP requirements.
2. Data accuracy reporting
An industry-first feature, ConductorOne automates the process of confirming and proving data accuracy for UARs. Instead of relying on screenshots and manual checks, C1 proactively flags data source issues, captures time-stamped proof of accuracy, and produces auditor-ready reports.
For CSPs, this means:
- Less time on manual evidence gathering.
- Higher confidence that reviews are both complete and accurate.
- Easier collaboration with auditors during the FedRAMP assessment process.
3. Modern, security-first identity governance
ConductorOne goes beyond compliance checkboxes. By giving CSPs real-time visibility into access data, automating workflows, and enforcing least privilege at scale, C1 helps organizations reduce risk while maintaining operational agility.
The path to FedRAMP with C1
Earning FedRAMP authorization requires dedication and ongoing investment. But with the right tools, CSPs can streamline the process, reduce friction with auditors, and focus on growing their federal business.
ConductorOne empowers CSPs to:
- Simplify UARs and access governance.
- Automate completeness and accuracy evidence.
- Maintain continuous FedRAMP compliance with less manual effort.
Want to learn more? Book a demo to learn how ConductorOne can help you accelerate compliance, reduce risk, and modernize your identity governance program.
