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The Easy Way to Know if FedRAMP or StateRAMP is Worth the Cost

Are you looking to get StateRAMP or FedRAMP authorized but don’t know where to start? Paramify has a proven track record of helping organizations of all types. Learn how Paramify helped PopeTech get authorized on time and under budget to determine whether Paramify is the right partner for you.

Adam Johnson
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53
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In This Article

FedRAMP 20x Process

Getting StateRAMP or FedRAMP authorized is a costly, time-consuming process – but is it worth it? That depends on how much time and money it will take and how much more you'll make when you've achieved authorization.

You need to know whether the potential ROI is worth it before you jump in. But finding out what it will take can be difficult, and expensive.

Below we'll outline how PopeTech was able to assess what they needed to do to achieve StateRAMP authorization.

Considering Soc2, StateRAMP, FedRAMP, Etc

‍PopeTech, a fast-growing software company, was looking to get StateRAMP authorized.

This CSP wanted to demonstrate their security for clients and have the potential to secure state government contracts.

You may look into TX-RAMP, StateRAMP, FedRAMP or other security frameworks to provide reassurance to customers or gain new contracts, depending on the ROI.

Complications Calculating StateRAMP or FedRAMP ROI

Embarking on RAMP authorization journey requires a combination of:

  • Extensive expertise
  • Strategic planning
  • Solid understanding of the financial and time commitments involved

PopeTech, aware of the complexity, had concerns regarding the costs, timeline, and the magnitude of changes to their existing security controls necessary to achieve authorization.

Without these answers, it was nearly impossible to calculate what their ROI would be on this effort. A Gap Assessment can cost between $10k and $60,000 – a significant expense.

Using a Gap Assessment to Calculate ROI

Rather than spend tens of thousands on an assessment PopeTech contacted Paramify for a free assessment to answer their questions.

In a short meeting with the CEO and Chief Security Officers of PopeTech we assessed PopeTech's cloud security capabilities and quickly documented their controls.

Paramify provided PopeTech with three essential summaries at no cost:

  1. The Risk Solution Implementation Summary
  2. Risk Priority Summary
  3. The StateRAMP Readiness Assessment

These documents served as the roadmaps for PopeTech's StateRAMP authorization journey.

The Risk Solution Implementation Summary outlines all the Risk Solution families for compliance with not only StateRAMP,  but FedRAMP, DoD, CMMC, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and on and on.

GRC Control Implementation summary example with Paramify
Control Implementation Summary Example

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The Risk Priority Summary highlights the areas where a company’s existing cloud security capabilities don't address certain required risk solutions. The Paramify Platform was then utilized to assign and track remediation tasks.

GRC Risk Priority Summary example with Paramify
Risk Priority Summary Example

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The StateRAMP Readiness assessment highlights the readiness percentage already achieved, broken down by segment.

Risk Priority Summary Example

→ Request your Free Gap Assessment today

PopeTech's StateRAMP Success with Paramify

PopeTech was able to streamline the StateRAMP readiness assessment process with Paramify.

The detailed analysis and clear roadmap enabled PopeTech to understand their current security status, prioritize actions, and monitor their progress towards authorization effectively.

Collaborating with Paramify allowed PopeTech to accomplish the authorization process swiftly and cost-effectively.

This optimized approach not only minimized resource allocation and expenses but also sped up the authorization timeline. This, in turn, resulted in a significant return on investment for PopeTech.

→ Learn how Paramify simplifies security optimization, making StateRAMP and FedRAMP authorization affordable for organizations like yours.

Request Your Free Gap Assessment Today

Ready to start your FedRAMP or StateRAMP authorization journey and find out your ROI?

We'd love to help set your CSP up on the authorization fast-track. Sign up for your free assessment today.

You'll receive your own:

  • FedRAMP or StateRAMP Readiness Percentage Summary
  • Risk Solution Implementation Summary
  • Risk Priority Summary
  • Sneak peak of your SSP (System Security Plan) in DOCX and OSCAL formats, CRM (Customer Responsibility Matrix), and Inventory Workbook

Armed with a clear roadmap to authorization, we’ll take the fear and uncertainty out of your StateRAMP or FedRAMP authorization journey. No risk. No cost.  Start your assessment today and discover how Paramify can help you achieve your security objectives swiftly and with strong ROI.

If you'd like to see Paramify in action, you can also sign up for a free demo below: 

Learn More:

→ How Long Does the FedRAMP Authorization Process Really Take

→ Get the Most Accurate SSP for Faster Assessment

→ Is Paramify the Best Option for You?

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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.
Feb 2024
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Once authorized, can I sell to any federal agency?

Yes — authorization can be reused by multiple agencies via the FedRAMP Marketplace, but some agencies may request additional requirements.

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

What are the most common reasons for delays or failures in FedRAMP authorization?

Incomplete documentation, insufficient evidence, failing initial gap assessments, lack of executive support, and underestimating resource requirements.

→ How to create the most accurate documentation for audit success

What's the difference between FedRAMP and other frameworks (SOC 2, CMMC, ISO 27001)?

FedRAMP is U.S. government-specific and NIST-based, more prescriptive and granular than commercial standards.

How do inherited controls from my cloud infrastructure provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) work?

FedRAMP allows CSPs to “inherit” controls from IaaS providers; you must document and verify this inheritance with shared responsibility models.

What kind of technical controls are required under FedRAMP?

Controls follow NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 (with additional FedRAMP overlays) — covering access control, incident response, risk assessment, configuration management, etc.

→ Get your custom accelerated FedRAMP implementation roadmap

How often do I need to update and submit security documentation?

At minimum: 

  • Monthly POAMs and vulnerability scans
  • Annual security assessments
  • Ad hoc submissions for significant changes.

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What is a POA&M?

Plan of Action and Milestones: a document tracking remediation plans for open vulnerabilities, findings, and compliance issues.

→ Learn more about POAMs

What is continuous monitoring (ConMon) and why is it important?

ConMon involves ongoing assessments, vulnerability scanning, reporting POAMs, and keeping security posture current post-authorization.

What documentation is required for FedRAMP?

Major deliverables include a System Security Plan (SSP), Security Assessment Plan (SAP), Security Assessment Report (SAR), Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M), Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) documentation, policies/procedures, and more.

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

How much does FedRAMP Authorization cost?
  • Initial costs range from ~$150k to $3M+ for gap assessments, remediation, 3PAO audits, and documentation/reporting. 
  • Annual costs can range from $50k to $1m to maintain documentation, do continuous monitoring, and resource allocation. 

→ Learn more about what FedRAMP could cost your organization and whether or not it’s worth the effort

How long does it take to achieve FedRAMP Authorization?

Typical processes take 6–24 months. Paramify accelerates the process to take between 1-10 months with a fully prepared package in less than a month. 

Your timeline will vary depending on your impact level, whether you take a manual or automated approach to implementation & documentation, and PMO wait times.

→ Learn about the FedRAMP Authorization process and what it costs.

What’s the difference between FedRAMP Ready, FedRAMP In Process, and FedRAMP Authorized?
  • Ready: Preliminary review for capability and documentation.
  • In Process: CSP is actively working toward authorization, usually with an agency sponsor or as part of the JAB program.‍
  • Authorized: Successfully completed security assessment and continuous monitoring.
What are the different impact levels for FedRAMP?

Low, Moderate, and High — based on the type and sensitivity of federal data hosted (FIPS 199 categories: confidentiality, integrity, availability).

→ Get the details on impact level to know which impact level is right for you.

Do You Need FedRAMP?

Any cloud service provider (CSP) that wants to sell cloud products or services to U.S. federal agencies must be FedRAMP authorized.

→ Learn more to find out if FedRAMP is a good choice for your cloud-based business.

What is FedRAMP

FedRAMP stands for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program; it standardizes the security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by U.S. federal agencies.

How long will it take to generate my SSP?

If you’re new to FedRAMP: The time required depends on how long it takes to implement your security controls. With Paramify’s living gap assessment dashboard, you can build your compliance roadmap and generate documents instantly with one click.

If you’re already FedRAMP authorized: It can take as little as 3.5 hours or up to a week.

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Can you help me transition from NIST 800-53 Rev 4 to Rev 5?

Yes! No one will help you transition to FedRAMP Rev 5 as affordably and painlessly as Paramify. Learn how you can make a seamless, inexpensive transition to Rev 5.

Can I use my existing SSP?

Yes, we offer this service and have provided it for many clients. Most of our customers, including those for whom we’ve ingested their SSP, have found that starting from scratch and adopting the full power of Risk Solutions was the better option.

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