Is FedRAMP 20X Right for Your Cloud-Native Business?

What is FedRAMP 20x, and why should you care?

The FedRAMP 20X pilot is a game-changer for cloud-native companies looking to break into the government market.

Unlike the traditional FedRAMP process, which often requires an agency sponsor and can feel like climbing a mountain, FedRAMP 20X offers a streamlined path to a one-year FedRAMP Low authorization — without needing an agency sponsor.

If your business is eager to sell software to the government, this is a massive opportunity to get your foot in the door.

But is it right for you? Let’s break down the key requirements and what they mean for your business.

Are You Eligible for the FedRAMP 20x Pilot?

To participate in the FedRAMP 20X pilot, your business needs to check a few boxes:

Cloud-Native on an Authorized Platform: Your offering must be built on a FedRAMP-authorized cloud host like AWS, Azure, or GCP. If your infrastructure is already running on one of these platforms, you’re off to a great start.
Recent SOC 2 Type 2 (or Similar) Audit: You’ll need to have completed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit, or an equivalent, within the last year.
The good news? The evidence and processes you used for that audit will serve as a foundation for FedRAMP 20X, saving you time and effort.
A FedRAMP-Savvy 3PAO: You’ll need a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) that’s familiar with FedRAMP and ready to tackle the 20X audit. This is critical to ensure your compliance journey stays on track.
Machine-Readable Evidence File: Here’s where things can get tricky.
The FedRAMP 20X process requires you to produce a machine-readable file detailing evidence for each key security indicator.
For many, this is the most challenging part of the pilot, but Paramify makes it simple.

How Paramify simplifies FedRAMP 20x

The Paramify platform takes the headache out of FedRAMP compliance, and the 20X pilot is no exception.

Generating that machine-readable document? It’s as easy as clicking a button.

Streamline compliance with a living dashboard

Our platform consolidates your risk management, evidence collection, and auditor assessments into a single, seamless system. There’s no scrambling to pull together documentation or worrying about missing a critical piece of evidence.

Paramify does the heavy lifting for you. Learn more about how Paramify automates your security reporting and continuous monitoring to make it 90% faster and easier to manage.

→ Sign up for a demo to see for yourself how Paramify can help you get 20X the easy way

Why FedRAMP 20x is a big deal for your business

If you’re a cloud-native business with a SOC 2 Type 2 audit under your belt and a desire to tap into the government market, FedRAMP 20X could be your golden ticket.

The one-year FedRAMP Low authorization opens doors to federal agencies without the need for an agency sponsor, giving you a competitive edge and a faster path to market.

It’s an opportunity to showcase your software to a massive, underserved customer base while proving your commitment to security and compliance.

Reasons to participate in the FedRAMP 20x Pilot

One-Year FedRAMP Low Authorization: Gain a FedRAMP Low authorization for one year, allowing your business to meet government compliance requirements.
No Agency Sponsor Required: Unlike traditional FedRAMP processes, 20X does not require an agency sponsor, making it easier to enter the government market.
Access to Government Market: Enables cloud-native businesses to sell software to federal agencies, opening a significant market opportunity.
Leverages Existing Audits: Uses evidence and processes from a recent SOC 2 Type 2 audit (or similar), reducing redundant compliance efforts.
Simplified Documentation with Tools: Platforms like Paramify can generate the required machine-readable evidence file with a single click, streamlining the process.

→ Have questions about FedRAMP 20X or ready to get started? Contact us at Paramify, and let’s make compliance your superpower!

We're did 20x too

We helped 7 of the 25 orgs in the 20x pilot successfully achieve authorization — including ourselves. Each org took between 8-30 days to submit a full package.

We've learned a lot and are confident we could help you submit a 20x package within a month.

Basically, we're really committed to understanding the process so we can make sure you get the best product possible to make your 20x journey as simple as possible. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to jump start your submission.

Why the FedRAMP 20x Pilot may NOT be right for your business

Non-Cloud-Native Offering: If your business does not offer a cloud-native solution or your platform is not hosted on a FedRAMP-authorized cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), you are ineligible for the pilot.
Lack of Recent Audit: If you have not completed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit (or similar) within the past year, you cannot provide the necessary evidence and processes required for the 20X process.
No Access to a Qualified 3PAO: If you do not have a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) familiar with FedRAMP and available to conduct a 20X audit, you cannot meet the audit requirement.
Looking for a 3PAO? Find yours here.
Difficulty Producing Machine-Readable File: Creating a machine-readable file detailing evidence for FedRAMP 20X’s key security indicators (KSIs) can be complex and resource-intensive, especially without a platform like Paramify to simplify it. This can deter organizations with limited technical resources.
No Interest in Government Market: If your business is not interested in selling software to federal agencies, the one-year FedRAMP Low authorization offers no strategic value.
Already FedRAMP Authorized: If your organization already holds a full FedRAMP authorization, participating in the 20X pilot, which offers a temporary Low authorization, may be unnecessary or redundant.

More About 20x

Watch the FedRAMP 20x Masterclass to get all the details you need to decide if this is best for your business:

Ready to Explore FedRAMP 20x?

FedRAMP 20X is unlocking possibilities for cloud-native businesses.

But, it’s not just about compliance — it’s about empowering innovative companies to bring their solutions to the government and make a real impact.

If you’re curious about whether the FedRAMP 20X pilot is right for you, or if you just want to geek out about compliance like we do, we’d love to chat. You can request a demo video, reach out to the Paramify team with questions, or fill out the form below to set up a demo to see for yourself how we can help you navigate this exciting new process.

Demo Paramify Today:

‍

Isaac Teuscher

A Security Engineer leading the technical implementation of cloud and AI-driven security. With experience in NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP, Isaac collaborates with executive teams to build scalable security programs that meet the highest federal compliance standards.

May 2025

How do I find the right tool for 20x?

We recommend finding a tool that does these 5 things:

Puts an emphasis on information assurance
Has automated evidence collection and validation
Uses a transparent process
Balances automation and manual attestations
Includes flexible validation scheduling

→ Get more tips to find the best tool for your 20x process.

Does Paramify support the updated vulnerability standard introduced with FedRAMP 20x?

POA&M templates often fail and lead to bad security practices. VDR shifts compliance from point-in-time snapshots to continuous readiness. The goal is to bring agencies and vendors closer to true continuous ATO.

But, you can't manually sift through vulnerabilities and hit required timelines. You’ll need processes that detect, assess, and patch automatically where possible.

Paramify will alert you to LEVs and IRVs instantly. From there you can prioritize the N5s and automate the fixes for lower ones.

Find out how VDR works and watch below to learn how Paramify helps:

How do I manage Continuous Security Assessment of my cloud service offering?

20x requires continuous assessment of your tool so agencies can get a more real-time understanding of your security posture.

With Paramify you can automatically retrieve, store, and validate the evidence required for continuous assessment of your FedRAMP 20x KSIs.

Will Paramify help me build a Trust Center

Trust Centers are a requirement for FedRAMP 20x authorization. Paramify will help you build out your own trust center that will include details on your compliance programs.

Check out Paramify’s trust center as an example.

Is FedRAMP Authorized the same as an Authority to Operate (ATO)?

FedRAMP Authorization is different from an Authority to Operate (ATO). In the past, you could only get FedRAMP Authorized with an ATO — and to get an ATO you’d have to have an agency sponsor.

You can get FedRAMP Authorized without a sponsor, but your ATO comes once an agency begins using you. Having the authorization in advance will speed up the process and provide agencies with more options that have necessary security controls already in place.

Do Federal Agencies Accept 20x?

Yes, when you’ve completed FedRAMP 20x your company will be added to the FedRAMP Marketplace. From there federal agencies can choose your product.

Do AI companies get priority access to 20x?

They very much do.

Find out if your AI tool qualifies or learn more about the AI fast-track to 20x.

Are pen tests and red team exercises required for 20x Moderate?

We’re still finding out the details on 20x Moderate. We’ve heard suggestions that pen tests and red teams are not being included for moderate-level 20x assessments, though agencies may still request them independently.

We’ll update as we learn more.

How Do I Generate Machine Readable Documentation?

Paramify automatically creates and updates any required reporting as you implement your KSIs and update their statuses.

Machine-readable or not, documentation sucks. So we’re taking care of it.

When will 20x be available for me?

The 20x program is still being developed — it’s a little like building the airplane in flight.

The fine folks at FedRAMP are testing, receiving feedback and iterating as they go. To do this they’re piloting the different impact levels individually.

The pilot for FedRAMP 20x low is complete and open for new submissions.
Moderate and High-level 20x are expected to be available by early 2026

Psst: Federal agencies are looking to fast-track fedRAMP Authorization for AI tools. If you're looking for authorization for your AI tool, you can get started now.

How Long Does FedRAMP 20x Take?

Expect to move much faster with 20x. Paramify and the other companies we helped through the process were able to submit in less than 30 days.

Get more info here:

How Much Does FedRAMP 20x Cost?

FedRAMP 20x is significantly less expensive than traditional FedRAMP. Expect to spend between $145k to $180k initially and $235k to $360k annually to maintain authorization.

Find a full breakdown of the cost of FedRAMP and FedRAMP 20x to know what to expect and how to reduce your spend.

What is a KSI (Key Security Indicator)?

A KSI is a Key Security Indicator. This is a measurable metric or control used to assess the security posture of cloud services in FedRAMP.

KSIs provide a standardized, machine-readable way to evaluate and monitor the security of a CSPs by focusing on critical security controls or outcomes.

‍Learn about KSIs or read here to see how they compare to traditional controls.

Is your company eligible for 20x?

You’re eligible for 20x if:

Your tool is cloud-native on an authorized platform (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Can create a machine-readable file to show evidence of 20x KSIs.
Have a FedRAMP-savvy 3PAO to audit your submission

If you’ve done a SOC 2 type 2 audit (or something similar) in the last year, it can also speed up your process.

→ Find 20x eligibility requirements to see if it’s right for you

Is 20x as secure as FedRAMP Rev 5

FedRAMP 20x is designed to be as secure as Rev 5, if not more so.

20x emphasizes flexible, risk-based mitigations and automation over rigid manual processes — aligning better with modern RMF principles for adaptive threat handling.

This shift reduces outdated implementations while maintaining or enhancing overall security standards.

We believe risk-based security beats checklist compliance every time:

How is FedRAMP 20x different from Rev5?

Traditional FedRAMP relies on detailed NIST-based controls, manual reviews, agency sponsorships, and lengthy authorization processes that can take months or years.

FedRAMP 20x, introduced by the GSA in March 2025, accelerates the process for cloud-native services. 20x emphasizes automation, machine-readable documentation, real-time monitoring, and doesn’t require an agency sponsorship. Authorizations are possible much faster without reducing security.

→ Find out if 20x is a good fit for your organization.

How is FedRAMP 20x different from traditional FedRAMP?

20x introduces automation, key security indicators (KSIs), continuous monitoring validation, and streamlined authorization (sometimes without sponsor requirements).

→ Compare KSIs to Rev 5 controls

Do I need an agency sponsor?

Yes, for now. But, agency sponsorship requirements are evolving — FedRAMP 20x does not require a sponsor.

How do I pick the best 3PAO for my project?

Consider experience with similar environments, references, price, and knowledge of specific cloud implementations.

→ Find the best assessor for your CSP with these tips

What is a 3PAO?

A Third Party Assessment Organization is an accredited independent assessor that conducts key security testing and assessment for FedRAMP.

→ Find a recommended 3PAO

Is FedRAMP 20X Right for Your Cloud-Native Business?

In This Article

What is FedRAMP 20x, and why should you care?

Are You Eligible for the FedRAMP 20x Pilot?

How Paramify simplifies FedRAMP 20x

Why FedRAMP 20x is a big deal for your business

Reasons to participate in the FedRAMP 20x Pilot

We're did 20x too

Why the FedRAMP 20x Pilot may NOT be right for your business

More About 20x

Ready to Explore FedRAMP 20x?

Paramify blog

Top FedRAMP 3PAO Assessors to Use With Paramify

5 Things to Look for in a FedRAMP 20x GRC Tool

The New FedRAMP VDR Standard