If you’re building commercial cloud software and eyeing the federal market, you’ve probably heard of FedRAMP—and maybe even recoiled at the mention.

It’s the gold standard for securing cloud products used by civilian federal agencies. But it’s also known for being opaque, expensive, and brutally slow.

This guide is here to cut through the noise. No fluff—just a clear breakdown of what FedRAMP is, why it matters, and what it actually takes to achieve a FedRAMP Authority to Operate (ATO).

What is FedRAMP?

FedRAMP stands for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program. It’s the standardized framework the U.S. federal government uses to assess, authorize, and continuously monitor the security of cloud software products.

• FedRAMP is the framework and set of requirements.
• FedRAMP ATO is the end result: an agency has reviewed your system and issued an ATO based on the FedRAMP standards.

If your SaaS product is hosted in the cloud and you want to sell to civilian federal agencies (think USDA, VA, GSA), you’ll almost certainly need FedRAMP authorization first.

But a FedRAMP ATO is more than just a stamp of approval. It’s a formal, public validation that your platform meets strict cybersecurity standards and can securely handle sensitive government data. It tells agencies your software can be trusted to operate in high-stakes environments, with all the oversight and accountability that entails.

TLDR: FedRAMP is how the U.S. government buys commercial cloud software securely. 

FedRAMP Marketplace

The FedRAMP Marketplace is the U.S. government’s official directory of cloud products that meet federal security standards. It’s where agencies go to find trusted tech and where software companies prove they’re ready to operate in high-stakes environments.

As of July 2025, only 451 companies & products are FedRAMP Authorized. If you want your software on a government network, the FedRAMP Marketplace is where you want to be listed. Here’s a breakdown of FedRAMP-authorized cloud service providers (CSPs) by impact level. You can find more information on what each level means in the section below titled ‘FedRAMP Levels.’

FedRAMP vs. DoD ATO: What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to the federal market, it’s easy to lump them together. After all, both are government security authorizations for cloud products. But the key differences come down to who you’re selling to, what data you’re handling, and how high the security bar is.

• FedRAMP ATO is typically required for civilian agencies (like HHS, GSA, VA).
• DoD ATO is required for military departments and defense agencies and follows a separate set of standards under DISA STIGs and the DoD Cloud SRG.

Both processes are intensive, expensive, and time-consuming—but each opens doors to different parts of the federal market.

Benefits of FedRAMP ATO

FedRAMP ATO isn’t just a compliance badge—it’s a gateway to real market access and competitive advantage in the public sector.

• Access to over 430 federal government entities
• Only 442 CSPs (cloud service providers) are FedRAMP Authorized, as of July 2025.
• Competitive edge over non-authorized vendors
• Stronger eligibility for teaming on federal contracts

It’s a serious undertaking—but for companies serious about the federal market, a FedRAMP Authorization becomes a key differentiator. It signals trust, maturity, and mission-readiness.

FedRAMP Levels

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re working with—or seeking—an agency sponsor (a federal agency that formally agrees to support your FedRAMP authorization process). That sponsor determines your FedRAMP impact level, based on the sensitivity of the data your software will handle.

Impact Level	Data Sensitivity Example	Approx. # of Controls	Use Case Examples
Low	Public or non-sensitive data	~125	Open data, public-facing services
Moderate	Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)	~325	Most SaaS apps used by federal agencies
High	Highly sensitive (e.g., law enforcement, health records)	~421	Law enforcement, emergency services, healthcare systems

It’s important to note that a FedRAMP High authorization automatically covers Moderate and Low workloads—so you don’t need separate authorizations for each level.

What’s a control?

Based on the NIST 800-53 framework, a control is a specific safeguard (i.e. requirement) your system must implement to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of government data. These include:

• Access controls
• Encryption standards
• Audit logging
• Incident response procedures

There are over 400 NIST 800-53 controls in total. How many you need to implement will depend on your impact level.

FedRAMP 20x

FedRAMP has made several efforts over the years to streamline its process—starting with FedRAMP Accelerated (2016) and FedRAMP Tailored (2018). The latest evolution is FedRAMP 20X, a multi-year initiative designed to make the authorization process more scalable, flexible, and repeatable, while still maintaining the rigorous security posture federal missions demand.

It’s a meaningful step forward, and Second Front is proud to partner with FedRAMP on this journey. We’re encouraged by the direction 20X is heading and already seeing promising signs of its impact.

But like any major change, it’s still a work in progress—and today, there are a few important limitations:

• Limited Scope: 20X currently applies only to FedRAMP Low authorizations.
• Early Stages: It remains in pilot phase, and eligibility criteria are still evolving.
• Still Resource-Intensive: Even under 20X, you’ll need machine-readable documentation, 3PAO assessments, and continuous monitoring.

2F Game Warden is purpose-built to stay aligned with evolving FedRAMP policies like 20X, so customers don’t have to navigate shifting requirements on their own. By embedding up-to-date compliance into the platform itself, we help teams overcome traditional limitations and accelerate their FedRAMP journey—without getting slowed down by shifting requirements.

Bottom line: 20X is a promising evolution of the FedRAMP process, but it’s not a shortcut. Software companies still need the right tools, processes, and expertise to navigate the journey effectively.

The FedRAMP Authorization Process

FedRAMP exists to ensure that the software supporting our government—and by extension, our freedoms—is secure, resilient, and mission-ready. The path to authorization is rigorous, by design.  See the official FedRAMP guidance here.

FedRAMP exists to ensure that the software supporting our government—and by extension, our freedoms—is secure, resilient, and mission-ready. The path to authorization is rigorous, by design.  See the official FedRAMP guidance here.

Phase 1: Preparation

Lay the groundwork: find a sponsor, align on scope, and start documentation. Many companies begin with a Readiness Assessment (optional, but highly recommended):

• Readiness Assessment Report (RAR) Development
• FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) Review of RAR
• Remeditation of findings (if needed)
• FedRamp Marketplace designation: FedRAMP Ready*

*While all companies must go through a preparation phase, not all will get FedRAMP Ready designation in the Marketplace. Ready is a terminal process on its own, and not a pre-requisite for FedRAMP Authorization.

Pre-Authorization

• Kickoff with agency sponsor
• Impact Level determination
• Authorization planning

Phase 2: Authorization

With documentation and partnerships in place, your system undergoes a full evaluation—including testing by a Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) and agency review.

Full Security Assessment

• Submission of Security Authorization Package (SSP, SAP, SAR, POA&M)*

*Depending on agency preference, the security assessment may be prepared before or during this phase.

Agency Authorization Process

• Agency review and SAR Debrief
• Remediation
• Final Agency Review
• Agency Issues ATO
• FedRAMP PMO Review and Marketplace Designation: Authorized

Phase 3: Continuous Monitoring

To ensure your system stays audit-ready and secure for the mission, FedRAMP requires that authorized systems continue to meet standards through:

•  Monthly vulnerability scans
• Ongoing reporting and documentation
• Annual reassessments by approved assessors

Real World Challenges of FedRAMP ATO

For most software companies, getting a FedRAMP ATO is a heavy lift. Here’s why:

1. High cost of compliance (financial & operational)

Between assessments, documentation, consultants, testing, and monitoring, total costs can exceed $2–3M. Security requirements touch every layer—often requiring product teams to re-architect core features or build agency-specific deployments that slow down commercial velocity.

2. Long timelines & re-accreditation loops

Even with a sponsor and an experienced team, the process can take 18–36+ months. And once you’re in, you’re never done—every code change or new agency onboard can trigger rework.

3. FedRAMP ≠ DoD ATO

A FedRAMP ATO doesn’t carry over to DoD environments. If you’re building for defense, you’ll need to navigate SRG defined IL2–IL6 requirements and often entirely separate infrastructure and vendors.

Get FedRAMP Authorized with 2F Game Warden

So you might be wondering—how do you actually pull this off?

This is exactly why we built 2F Game Warden. To give companies like yours a faster, smarter way to get FedRAMP authorized and stay compliant without losing focus on your core mission.

The Game Warden Difference:

Accelerate Your FedRAMP Authorization

Reach the FedRAMP Marketplace in as little as 180 days. Our expert-guided process and streamlined platform eliminate guesswork, providing the fastest, most efficient path to getting your product to market.

Secure Your Own FedRAMP ATO

Don’t just be a line item on someone else’s listing—secure your own, independent FedRAMP ATO. This means you won’t be locked into another vendor’s authorization, giving you full control over your federal sales strategy and deployments. Our platform is built for flexibility, enabling you to tailor your security posture for any sponsor requirement, from FedRAMP Low and Moderate to High Impact Levels.

Drastically Reduce FedRAMP Costs

Slash your authorization expenses by up to 83% compared to traditional methods. Our streamlined workflows and transparent pricing model eliminate surprise fees and maximize your ROI.

One Platform for the Entire Federal Market

Why juggle multiple vendors for every government contract? With Game Warden, you can work with a single platform across both FedRAMP and DoD environments—authorized for deployment at DoD Impact Levels 2–6 and FedRAMP Low to High. While authorization processes remain distinct, your app stays compatible with our platform, reducing friction and duplication of effort. Build once, stay aligned, and deploy to both civilian and defense agencies faster.

Your End-to-End Strategic Partner

Your success is our mission. We provide more than just software; we deliver a true partnership. From initial assessment and onboarding to continuous monitoring and GTM support, our team is with you every step of the way. We leverage our extensive network of hyperscale and SI partners to help you succeed long after you achieve your ATO.

Conclusion

FedRAMP ATO is a significant indication that your software is ready to support some of the most sensitive and mission-critical operations in the world.

It opens real doors in the federal market. But it comes with real effort.

And while the traditional path can be long, costly, and fragmented, it’s no longer the only way.

Whether you’re targeting civilian agencies, defense networks, or both, 2F Game Warden gives you a single platform to get—and stay—authorized across the entire federal market.

Ready to move fast without compromising security?

Let’s talk. Our team can help you stay mission-focused and FedRAMP-ready.