The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a standardized approach to cybersecurity assessment, authorization and the continuous monitoring of cloud-based products and services. With FedRAMP, organizations are empowered to utilize modern cloud technologies without putting sensitive federal information at risk.
FedRAMP can be broken down into three distinct categories that dictate how government agencies and contractors can implement the proper security controls required for the protection of U.S. government data. The levels range from low to high, with low impact level compliance having the least amount of risk and high impact level compliance have the most amount of risk.
FedRAMP Low Impact Level
The low impact level of FedRAMP represents the baseline security standard for cloud-based systems and data. FedRAMP low impact level was developed to support cloud products and services intended for public use, making it a relatively low risk standard. Being low impact, any loss in the confidentiality or availability of system information at this level should not have a significant impact on a government agency’s reputation, operations, personnel, finances or overall mission.
Due to the lower amount of risk at this level, the security documentation needed for compliance is far less complex compared to higher levels. The timeline for FedRAMP low impact level approval is also shortened. A low impact level system is controlled by 125 controls, including all processes and technologies that cloud service providers establish to secure government data stored or accessed in the cloud.
There are currently two baseline levels for systems that have low-impact data, including low baseline and low-impact software-as-a-service (SaaS). FedRAMP low impact level is best suited for cloud service providers that handle federal information that is intended for use by the public. The tailored baseline for cloud service providers with low-impact SaaS systems was created to support cloud products and services that a government agency may see as low risk.
Tailored accounts for low-impact SaaS applications are not designed to store personally identifiable information with the exception of data used by people to log into systems, applications or websites, such as email addresses, usernames and passwords. FedRAMP tailored allows for a more streamlined and faster authorization process for various low-risk services, such as collaboration tools and project management applications.
Obtaining FedRAMP Compliance
When creating an authorization strategy for FedRAMP low level impact compliance, businesses must ensure that their cloud service offerings (CSOs) meet the minimum security requirements necessary to store, process and send certain types of data. Consider the type of information that will be used on the cloud system as this will play a role in the security level categorization assessment. The level of impact that an organization chooses should align with their needs and provide the appropriate security controls to keep sensitive information safe.
Learn More About Our Low Impact FedRAMP Compliance Services
The U.S. federal government sees a large amount of sensitive data traveling in and out on a daily basis. The sheer amount of information requires a higher level of assurance compared to most industries. For assistance meeting FedRAMP low impact level compliance or to speak with an experienced IT security compliance professional, call SeaGlass Technology.