The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) has launched two innovative initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and security of cloud service providers (CSPs) serving federal government agencies. The primary focus of these initiatives is to introduce an agile delivery pilot program and an automation website aimed at streamlining processes and enhancing security. The agile delivery pilot endeavors to overhaul the frequently criticized significant change request process, while the automation website will support CSPs in developing, validating, and submitting digital authorization packages. These initiatives will address long-standing inefficiencies in the FedRAMP process, enhancing both the speed and security of software deployment.
Revamping the Change Request Process through Agile Delivery
The agile delivery pilot program targets a critical challenge that has plagued the current change request process: the requirement for advance approval for modifications, which has been a major bottleneck. Modern development practices often require rapid deployment of software updates, a necessity that the existing point-in-time evaluation methods fail to accommodate. Through this pilot, FedRAMP is aiming to collaborate with 20 CSPs over the course of the next year in transitioning to a continuous assessment process. This would shift away from static evaluation methods and instead promote a more dynamic model that aligns well with agile development and delivery practices. The goal is not just to expedite the deployment of secure software but also to ensure that security measures evolve in real-time, mitigating risks more effectively.
Eric Mill, GSA’s Executive Director for Cloud Security, emphasized the potential benefits of the agile delivery pilot during the ATO and Cloud Security Summit. He pointed out that the new process could significantly accelerate the approval timeline while ensuring robust security. Applications for this pilot are open until July 26, and CSPs planning to release new features by December 31 are particularly encouraged to apply. The selected participants, expected to be announced by August 16, will collaborate closely with FedRAMP to refine and validate the continuous assessment process. By involving multiple CSPs, FedRAMP aims to gather diverse perspectives and challenges, making the resultant process more robust and universally applicable.
Streamlining Authorization with Automation Website
In parallel with the agile delivery pilot, FedRAMP has launched an automation website, automate.fedramp.gov, designed to streamline the digital authorization process for CSPs. The website will initially document the use of Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) for digital package approval. However, there are plans to introduce several new features and updates over time aimed at making the overall authorization process more efficient and user-friendly. The automation site is a significant leap towards reducing the manual labor and time involved in developing, validating, and submitting authorization packages by offering comprehensive technical documentation, best practices, and guidance.
This website is not only a tool for CSPs but also serves as an educational resource aimed at demystifying the FedRAMP process. By offering clear guidance and documentation, the website aims to lower the entry barriers for new CSPs and improve the overall experience for existing ones. FedRAMP’s move towards automation reflects a broader industry trend of leveraging technology to streamline complex regulatory processes. This initiative aims to extend the benefits of automation to better manage security protocols, making it easier for federal agencies to adopt cloud solutions confidently. The continuous additions to the website promise a more engaging user experience, aligning FedRAMP’s operational model with contemporary technological advancements.
A New Era for FedRAMP
In conjunction with its agile delivery pilot, FedRAMP has introduced an automation website, automate.fedramp.gov, aiming to simplify the digital authorization process for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). Initially, the site will detail the use of Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) for digital package approvals. Future updates plan to add numerous features to enhance the efficiency and user-friendliness of the authorization process. By providing extensive technical documentation, best practices, and guidance, the site seeks to reduce the manual labor and time required for developing, validating, and submitting authorization packages.
Beyond being a tool for CSPs, the website also serves as an educational resource to clarify the FedRAMP process. Its clear guidance and documentation are designed to lower entry barriers for new CSPs and improve the experience for existing ones. FedRAMP’s shift towards automation reflects a broader industry trend of using technology to streamline regulatory processes. This effort aims to enhance the management of security protocols, making it easier for federal agencies to confidently adopt cloud solutions. Ongoing additions promise a more engaging user experience, aligning FedRAMP’s operational model with modern technological advancements.
