Blog
This week, FedRAMP published two questions and answers. One for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and one for Third Party Assesment Organizations (3PAOs): Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) Q: All of the controls listed in the System Security Plan (SSP) Template do not apply to my system, so I only completed those that are applicable and left the...
This week, FedRAMP published two questions and answers. One for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and one for Third Party Assesment Organizations (3PAOs): Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) Q: Why is it important to maintain consistency between the security control implementation statements and the technical diagrams in the System Security Plan (SSP)? A: The security control implementation statements...
This week, FedRAMP published two questions and answers. One for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and one for Third Party Assesment Organizations (3PAOs) Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) Q: The Agency I’m working with requires that their data be cryptographically protected. What requirements must I follow? A: Any system that handles Government data may be the target of...
This week, FedRAMP published two questions and answers for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and Important Stakeholder Information: Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) Q: Can a CSP mark a control as both “Implemented” and “Alternative Implemented” in the System Security Plan (SSP)? A: Usually not. If a control is fully implemented, then only the “Implemented” box is checked....
This week, FedRAMP published questions and answers, one for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and one for Thrid Party Assesment Organizations (3PAOs): Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) Q: If I am uploading an Agency-authorized cloud service package for review/approval by FedRAMP, how do I ensure I am uploading all the required documents? A: The FedRAMP Documentation Checklist (found on FedRAMP.gov...
This week, FedRAMP published two tips about security controls and incident response plans: TIP: AC-2 and IA-2 are closely related. Every group, account, or role defined in AC-2 must be explicitly addressed in IA-2. AC-2 is used to define the groups, accounts, and roles, who may be assigned to one, and how they are managed...
This week, FedRAMP published questions and answers that discuss System Security Plans, and continuous monitoring: Q: A service previously documented in the System Security Plan (SSP) was renamed. How do we reflect the name change when we submit a Deviation Request (DR) for a vulnerability that affects the renamed service? A: Please provide a brief...
This week, FedRAMP published questions and answers that discuss FedRAMP documents, and points of contact: Q: What information does the FedRAMP PMO require for Contingency Plans and Incident Response Plans, and for testing them? A: You must use the Contingency Plan template from the Templates section of the FedRAMP website, at https://www.fedramp.gov/resources/templates-2016/. In Section 6,...
The process to obtain a Office 365 FedRAMP ATO is time consuming, manual, and paper-intensive. Until now! Introducing ATO as a Service™, an exclusive Software as a Service that automates FedRAMP processes, and shortens FedRAMP ATO timeframes for Office 365 government subscriptions. cFocus Software has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to develop ATO as a Service™, allowing...
This week, FedRAMP published QA and a tip that discusses 3PAO templates and POA&Ms: Q: When does a 3PAO have to use a new FedRAMP template and why? A: The FedRAMP PMO office does not like to cause extra effort, but we do prefer that the latest templates be used where it makes sense and is feasible,...