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The recent announcement of FedRAMP 20X by the General Services Administration (GSA) and FedRAMP authorities has sparked excitement across the industry.
Kenny and Mike are unpacking what this all means for government agencies, cloud service providers (CSPs), and the broader security ecosystem. Here’s what you need to know about this shift – and why it’s going to be a game-changer.
The FedRAMP Problem: Bureaucracy Stifling Security
For years, the FedRAMP process has been a double-edged sword.
Yes, it sets a high security standard that ensures cloud services necessary standards. But, its slow, bureaucratic nature has frustrated both sides of the equation.
Government agencies struggle to quickly acquire the software they need, while CSPs face a maze of technicalities and delays when trying to sell to the feds.
As Kenny and Mike put it, “Everyone agrees the process needs to be better.”
FedRAMP 20X is a bold step toward streamlining adoption of this critical framework.
The 5 Goals of FedRAMP 20X
Eventually FedRAMP would like to improve these 5 categories:
- Easy Automation
Automate over 80% of security checks, ditch long explanations, and let the industry offer practical solutions that fit FedRAMP standards. - Use What’s Already There
Cut new paperwork to a few pages by using existing security policies, with industry providing tools and templates. - Simple Ongoing Checks
Monitor security automatically with industry tools, keeping it consistent and mistake-free. - Direct Trust
Let CSPs and agencies work together directly, meeting minimum standards while keeping control of their own stuff. - Fast Innovation
Replace yearly reviews with quick automated checks, letting approved changes happen without delays, guided by clear rules.
Learn more about the goals of FedRAMP 20x.
What’s Changed With FedRAMP 20X.
Let’s be clear: FedRAMP is still the law of the land.
If you’re a CSP looking to serve federal agencies, you need a FedRAMP authorization tailored to the security level of your offering (low, moderate, or high).
But here’s the good news: the process is getting a facelift.
For low-impact Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers, the path to authorization is set to become significantly easier and faster with a lighter documentation lift. This is a huge win for agencies that have shied away from FedRAMP products due to the complexity.
For now, though, the current process – complete with Rev5 standards and the need for an authorizing agency – still applies.
The big shift? Agencies, not FedRAMP, own the risk. This realignment makes sense: if an agency is the end user, they should have the final say on what meets their security needs, not a centralized body bogged down by liability concerns.
Next Steps
The FedRAMP 20X announcement isn’t a complete overhaul – yet.
For now it’s aspirational.
Phase 1 will focus on low-impact SaaS. FedRAMP began accepting draft Low Submissions on May 19th.
The FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) is stepping back from lengthy delays and shifting to a standards and QA role. Approvals that once took a year are poised to move at “pedal-to-the-metal” speed.
The process will still require an agency partner, security work, and reporting – but the bureaucratic bloat is on the chopping block.
How will this happen? The industry is stepping up. Working groups will bring CSPs, innovators, and stakeholders together to propose solutions, from automated compliance tools to streamlined reporting.
The goal is to make the process match the reality of modern development, where systems evolve constantly, not sit static in a binder.
FedRAMP Made Eas(ier).
If you’re a CSP chasing a moderate or high FedRAMP authorization, here’s the practical takeaway: you don't need to hit pause. The FedRAMP process is already speeding up thanks to the PMO’s reduced role, and waiting for FedRAMP 20X to fully materialize could put you behind.
Kenny says, “Finish it, push it ahead – especially at moderate or high.” The aspirational changes are exciting, but the current path is moving faster than ever.
You can already get the best parts of the documentation-lite FedRAMP 20X experience today with Paramify.
→ Sign up for a Free Demo of Paramify
Security First, Paperwork Second
Here’s where FedRAMP 20X shines: it’s refocusing on what matters. FedRAMP has always been a stellar security standard, but its documentation-heavy approach often turned compliance into the end goal, rather than great security.
A shift from rubber-stamping 800+ controls to KSIs — like encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and zero trust — that deliver real protection. Compliance should be the outcome, not the obsession.
FedRAMP Director Pete Waterman agrees, security isn’t about a one-and-done system security plan. It’s about agility, innovation, and responding to incidents (because they will happen).
By automating reporting and cutting redundancy, CSPs can spend less time on paperwork and more time on actual security work.
→ Schedule your demo of Paramify to experience the document-lite 20X experience today!
Get Involved
Whether you’re a CSP, a security vendor, or just a stakeholder with a good idea, FedRAMP 20X is your chance to shape the future. Join the working groups, bring your innovations, and help build a process that works for everyone.
Like Mike says,
“If every company did FedRAMP, we’re all better off.”
The Bottom Line
FedRAMP 20X isn’t just a tweak – it’s a mindset shift.
Agencies owning the risk, industry driving solutions, and a focus on flexible, nimble security over bureaucratic theater? That’s a future worth betting on.
For now, the process remains the process, but it’s easier, faster, and less expensive than it’s ever been when you use tools like Paramify.
Interested in getting FedRAMP or making your current process more efficient? Schedule a demo below, contact us with any of your questions, or learn more about If Paramify is a good fit for your organization.
Learn More:
→ Is FedRAMP Authorization worth the hassle?
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