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Fast FedRAMP Authorization: From No SSP to Full Authorization in One Month

Discover how Palo Alto Networks achieved a complete FedRAMP Authorization To Operate (ATO) package within a remarkably short timeframe - what takes most companies many months or even years was done in one month. Explore the role Paramify can play as your security partner, enabling complete and accurate compliance documents with unraveled speed and ease regardless of the maturity of your organization’s security program.

Adam Johnson
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53
min read

In This Article

FedRAMP 20x Process

Writing a full SSP & ATO package can take months. The longer it takes to write, the longer it takes you to start selling to government agencies, and the longer it takes to get more revenue. If you're tired of wasting time and money, you may wonder "How do I get an SSP fast to fast-track my FedRAMP authorization." 

At Paramify, we specialize in fast SSP generation. We've helped small, medium, and large CSPs create ridiculously accurate ATO packages at unprecedented speed.

Here you'll find how Palo Alto Networks was able to use Paramify to go from no SSP to a full ATO in 1 month. Read on to find out if rapid SSP generation is the right fit for your compliance goals.

Generate the Full ATO in a Month: The Palo Alto Networks Story

Palo Alto Networks was able to prepare a full ATO for their Government Cloud Services - Prisma Access Package in only one month.

The average time to go from no System Security Plan (SSP)  to "In-Process" status and to a complete Authorization To Operate (ATO) package is 702 days1.

Not only that, the PMO loved what they saw.

"These are some of the cleanest deliverables we've ever seen. Complete, accurate, concise." - FedRAMP PMO

So how did they do it? 

Write a More Accurate SSP Fast with Risk Solutions

Palo Alto Networks already had top-notch Risk Solutions already operational, cataloged within their Risk Solutions library. Even though Prisma Access was a new package, they could demonstrate that these solutions were indeed functioning within its environment.

Consequently, documenting the package was a matter of making a few selections and generating the new ATO package.

Build Risk Solutions in Hours with Paramify

Starting from scratch? 

Have a legacy SSP you want to spend less time maintaining? 

Want to convert to an OSCAL-friendly Digital Package to move through assessment faster? 

We can help.

You'll be able to scale your security program in ways you never thought possible by organizing all your security capabilities within the Risk Solutions platform.

→ See how one CSP fully transitioned their SSP to NIST 800-53 Rev 5 in 3.5 hours

Request Your Free Demo Today

Schedule your free demo today if you're ready to fast-track your journey to FedRAMP or StateRAMP authorization and need a partner who can deliver results just like we've did for Palo Alto Networks. 

You'll learn:

  • How to generate more accurate compliance documentation at a fraction of the cost using Risk Solutions
  • The benefits of a security first approach
  • How fast and easy it is to get an OSCAL-based digital package

Want to see in action first? Request a video demo below:

→ Check out Paramify customer testimonials

Watch: 

See how Risk Solutions can make compliance documentation a breeze:

Note: Since this occurred, the Government Cloud Services - Prisma Access Offering was consolidated under GCS. For more details on that, read about how Paramify helped Palo Alto Networks tackle the complexity of managing multiple FedRAMP packages by harnessing Paramify's capabilities to consolidate them into a single package.

1 Analysis of FedRAMP marketplace taken July 2023

Adam Johnson
A 15 year veteran in software development, product marketing and product management. He's now specializing in Cybersecurity and Compliance.‍ A family man at heart, Adam enjoys biking, soccer, and traveling with his wife and three kids.
Jul 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Can compliance advisors or consultants work in Paramify with us, and does it help with managed-service models?

Absolutely. Paramify is used by many advisory partners, RPOs, and MSPs to guide, generate, and manage documentation, perform gap assessments, facilitate policy/procedure drafting, and oversee remediation activities. Advisors can fill out templates, manage controls, and generate client-ready documents.

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We have privacy or compliance concerns, can we restrict what external reviewers can access?

Yes, you can assign role-based access controls in Paramify. Advisors or auditors can be given access only to certain programs, assessment and their related evidence.

Sensitive information can be withheld or redacted as needed, and only authorized reviewers see specific items.

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Can auditors or advisory partners get direct access to our Paramify environment, or do we have to export everything for them?

Yes, Paramify allows external assessors/auditors and advisors to be invited as users, with controlled permission levels. They can review specific evidence, policies, SSPs, POA&Ms, or assessment modules without accessing broader company data. 

Documentation — such as Appendix A, SSPs, procedures, and POAMs — can also be exported in multiple standard formats (Word, Excel, OSCAL, EMASS, PDF) as needed.

Can I get matched with an Advisor based on my specific needs?

Yes. You can use the Get Matched feature on our website. We will review your specific compliance goals and connect you with the partner best suited for your industry and timeline.

How do Advisors use Paramify during a FedRAMP engagement?

Advisors use Paramify to conduct Gap Assessments, map controls, Automate SSPs, and manage POA&Ms.

Instead of spending months writing Word documents, the Advisor inputs the system architecture and control implementations into Paramify, which then generates the required NIST-formatted documentation.

Does Paramify compete with its Advisors?

No. Paramify is a software company. We do not offer independent audit or long-term consulting services. Our goal is to empower Advisors with better tools so they can serve more clients effectively.

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What are the different partner tiers?

We feature Premier Partners prominently on our site. These are firms that have demonstrated a high level of proficiency with the Paramify platform and have successfully helped many clients through the authorization process using our tools.

How do I become an official Paramify Advisor Partner?

We look for firms with a proven track record in federal compliance. If you are interested in joining our network and leveraging our automation products, you can reach out via our contact page or schedule a demo to see how our tools fit into your workflow.

What is the benefit of using an Advisor who uses Paramify vs. one who doesn't?

Advisors using Paramify can accelerate your implementation and typically deliver documentation in a fraction of the time it takes without Paramify. This means:

  • Faster Implementation: An accelerated implementation roadmap keeps timelines predictable.
  • Lower Costs: Reduced manual consultant hours.
  • Higher Accuracy: Automation eliminates the "copy-paste" errors common in traditional SSPs.‍
  • Easier Maintenance: Your Advisor can help you manage POA&Ms and continuous monitoring within the platform.
Does working with an Advisor on this list guarantee FedRAMP or CMMC authorization?

No firm can "guarantee" authorization, as the final decision rests with the government authorizing body (e.g., the FedRAMP PMO or the DoD).

However, working with a Paramify Advisor significantly reduces the risk of documentation errors and ensures your package is built on a technically sound, automated foundation.

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How do I choose the right Advisor for my organization?

Our Advisor page allows you to filter partners by their specific expertise, such as FedRAMP, CMMC, FISMA, or GovRAMP.

Why does Paramify partner with Advisors?

Paramify is an “Iron Man suit” for GRC experts. We provide automation technology to generate and manage compliance documentation (like SSPs snd POA&Ms) while Advisors provide the expert human oversight and implementation expertise.

Together, we offer a "best-of-both-worlds" solution: expert consulting powered by industry-leading automation and risk management planning.

What is the Paramify Advisor Partner Network?

The Paramify Advisor Partner Network is a curated group of cybersecurity and compliance firms — including CMMC Registered Practitioner Organizations (RPOs) and accredited 3PAOs — that use Paramify’s platform to deliver faster, more accurate compliance outcomes for their clients.

I already have an advisor or very capable GRC team. Why do I need Paramify?

Use Paramify's Risk Solution platform to automate ATO packages, improving cost efficiency, speed, and accuracy. This frees your team to focus on more valuable efforts like security posture enhancement and compliance improvements.