What is FedRAMP Class B?

How Does Class B Fit into FedRAMP?

There are 4 FedRAMP Certification Classes:

Class A — A new entry tier. Built for providers with an existing, eligible security certification (SOC 2 or similar) who want a foothold in the federal market without starting from zero.
Class B — Replaces the old Low impact level, including the former LI-SaaS designation. Full KSI baseline, addressed directly.
Class C — Replaces Moderate. Same KSI baseline, stricter validation, longer track record required.
Class D — Replaces High. Still being defined through FedRAMP's Phase 4 pilot.

FedRAMP also renamed "FedRAMP Authorized" to "FedRAMP Certified" and "Impact Levels" to "Certification Classes." If your team still says "FedRAMP Low," that's Class B now. The requirements are the same, just a new label.

What Does FedRAMP Class B Actually Require?

Short answer: the full set of applicable Key Security Indicators, addressed directly, with continuous validation instead of a point-in-time audit.

At Class B, you should:

Address every applicable KSI within your Minimum Assessment Scope — not a reduced subset.
Automate at least one validation method per KSI. This is a "should*," not a hard "must." Class C requires two methods per KSI, Class D requires four.
Maintain a Security Decision Record (SDR). This replaces the old System Security Plan. It’s now a living record of how each KSI is met, verified, and validated, rather than a static narrative document.
Supply historical KSI metrics — a 30-day summary plus up to a year of trend data where available.
Complete an annual independent assessment. Class B and C both require a FedRAMP Recognized Independent Assessor (the renamed 3PAO) to review all applicable KSIs at least once a year.
Apply directly — no agency sponsor required. Under 20x, you go through FedRAMP's Program Certification path rather than waiting on an agency to sponsor you first.

One thing Class B doesn't require: GovCloud. That typically kicks in at Class C and above.

While fully automated evidence validation isn’t required, keep in mind your Class B program can be built incrementally, with automation coverage that grows toward the Class C bar rather than having to land there on day one. If you are automating FedRAMP evidence collection anyway, one automated method per KSI is a reasonable target to set for yourself even though the rule does not force it.

Who is Class B Best For?

Class B is the rough equivalent of the old Low-Impact SaaS (LI-SaaS) category. It’s the best fit for services where a breach would do limited damage.

Think, public-facing content, marketing tools, systems that touch little to no data beyond login credentials.

It's the right call when an agency is asking for FedRAMP but isn't demanding deep operational transparency or supporting a mission-critical workload. If your buyer wants months of continuous-monitoring history or detailed incident-response timelines before they'll sign, that's usually a Class C conversation.

FedRAMP frames Class B this way:

"Adequate for use in most Low impact agency information systems and some Moderate or High impact agency information systems with appropriate compensating controls."

What Does Your Certification Class Say About Your Security?

FedRAMP Certification Classes measure the level of assurance and transparency you're providing to the government — not how secure your system actually is.

A Class B provider can run a tighter security operation than plenty of Class C providers. Choosing Class B over C is usually a cost-and-scope decision, not a statement about your security quality.

Class B vs. Class A vs. Class C

	Class A	Class B	Class C
Old equivalent	None — new entry tier	Low / LI-SaaS	Moderate
Basis for certification	Existing alt. framework (e.g. SOC 2)	Full KSI baseline, addressed directly	Full KSI baseline, addressed directly
Automated validation	May implement	Should implement — 1 method/KSI	Must implement — 2 methods/KSI
Historical KSI metrics	Not required	Should supply (30-day + trailing year)	Must supply (6+ months minimum)
Independent assessment	Follows underlying framework	Annual, required	Annual, required
GovCloud	Not typically required	Not typically required	Often required

What It Takes to Actually Operate at Class B

The rules describe what you need to show. Building the machinery to show it — automated KSI validation, an SDR that stays current instead of going stale six months after assessment, and historical metrics you can produce on demand — is the harder problem most providers hit once they commit to a class.

What catches teams by surprise with 20x? It's not a documentation exercise you finish once. 20x requires infrastructure you maintain continuously the entire time you hold the certification.

Paramify builds a platform to cover the full compliance lifecycle, from gap assessment and implementation planning through evidence generation and ongoing KSI monitoring.

Automate validation with Paramify.

See How Paramify Automates Class B Evidence

Bottom Line

FedRAMP Class B is where most SaaS providers with lighter-footprint services land once an agency customer starts asking for FedRAMP.

No, it's not a shortcut, and it's not a signal that your security is lighter than a Class C provider's — it's a scoped level of assurance matched to lower-risk workloads.

What it actually takes to run, day to day, is a compliance program built for continuous, automated evidence, which is worth scoping out before committing to a class.

FEDRAMP CLASS B

Not sure if Class B is the right scope for your service?

Paramify maps your KSIs, automates evidence collection, and builds your historical KSI metrics as you go, so you can scope Class B with a clear view of what moving up to Class C would take.

Talk to Paramify About Your Class B Path

FAQ

Is FedRAMP Class B the same as the old "Low" impact level?
Functionally, yes. CR26 renamed the old Low impact level, including LI-SaaS, to Class B. The security expectations are the same; the label and the KSI-based evidence model changed.

Do I need an independent assessor for Class B?
Yes. Class B requires an annual review by a FedRAMP Recognized Independent Assessor — the renamed 3PAO — covering all applicable KSIs. We’d be happy to match you with the best assessor for you.

Does FedRAMP Class B require GovCloud?
No. GovCloud isn't typically required at Class B. It becomes more common starting at Class C.

How is Class B different from Class A?
Class A lets you lean on an existing certification, like SOC 2, to get a foothold. Class B requires you to address FedRAMP's KSIs directly, with automated validation behind each one.

Can I move from Class B up to Class C later?
Yes — the classes work as building blocks. Moving up mainly means adding automated validation methods per KSI and extending your historical metrics.

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.

Sep 2026

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 certified 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 certification 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 Independent Assessors— 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.

What is FedRAMP Class B?

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