FedRAMP High Authorization: What It Is & What It Means for 1Kosmos

FedRAMP is a comprehensive program that addresses a fundamental challenge: maintaining rigorous security standards while enabling federal agencies to leverage the benefits of modern cloud technology.

Rather than requiring each federal agency to conduct separate evaluations of the same cloud service, FedRAMP creates a standardized process that allows multiple agencies to rely on a single, thorough authorization. This approach speeds cloud adoption across government, reduces costs, and increases confidence in security outcomes.

FedRAMP enforces continuous monitoring for real-time risk management, ensuring that security postures remain robust throughout a cloud service’s operational lifecycle. This systematic approach has transformed how federal agencies approach cloud adoption, giving them the confidence to modernize their IT infrastructure while maintaining security standards.

FedRAMP defines three distinct impact levels: Low, Moderate, and High, as described in the NIST publication FIPS 199:

• Low Impact handles systems where security breaches pose minimal risk to operations, requiring 125 security controls. This baseline works well for basic government functions with limited sensitivity needs.
• Moderate Impact covers systems where a compromise would seriously disrupt operations and requires 325 security controls. This level handles most federal workloads. Many government cloud services operate here, balancing security requirements and operational flexibility.
• High Impact represents the most stringent security requirements, demanding over 421 comprehensive security controls. This level is reserved for systems where security breaches could cause severe or catastrophic damage. It protects data where loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability could lead to severe mission problems, significant financial losses, or even loss of life.

Organizations operating at this level handle information that, while unclassified, remains critical to national interests. This includes law enforcement intelligence, essential infrastructure data, emergency response coordination systems, and sensitive healthcare information managed by federal agencies. The rigorous standards ensure these systems can maintain operations even under sustained cyber attack.

1Kosmos, for example, is FedRAMP High-Authorized, meaning the platform meets the highest security standards required by federal agencies for handling sensitive government data. This assures protection against the most sophisticated cyber threats and enables secure, seamless citizen services.

Data Sensitivity and Mission-Critical Systems

The High baseline applies to systems handling the most sensitive types of data. This includes data where losing confidentiality, integrity, or availability could devastate agency operations or public safety.
Examples include:

• Workloads supporting law enforcement
• Healthcare information (PHI)
• Financial data
• Information related to emergency services.

Because of this, agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and healthcare-related government organizations often require FedRAMP High authorization to ensure their cloud providers can secure mission-critical systems.

Rigorous Compliance Process

Achieving FedRAMP High requires cloud service providers to undergo a much more rigorous compliance process than lower levels. Providers must complete third-party audits through accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations, proving that their systems meet the required standards.

Once authorized, they are also subject to strict ongoing monitoring, testing, and reporting, ensuring that security controls remain effective. FedRAMP High is a one-time certification and a continuous demonstration of cybersecurity excellence.

FedRAMP High combines three essential elements: advanced technical safeguards, rigorous assessment processes, and continuous monitoring capabilities. Each strengthens the others, making for a comprehensive security ecosystem:

• Advanced security controls serve as the technical backbone of FedRAMP High systems. These include mandatory end-to-end encryption for all data, whether moving or stored, sophisticated multi-factor authentication beyond basic username-password setups, advanced threat detection powered by AI and machine learning, and solid incident response procedures that can quickly isolate and fix security threats.
• The rigorous assessment process ensures that security controls are documented and actually working. This means comprehensive third-party validation by accredited 3PAOs, independent penetration testing that mimics real-world attack scenarios, and thorough security documentation demonstrating compliance with every required control.
• Continuous monitoring represents the ongoing commitment required for FedRAMP High authorization. This includes monthly vulnerability scans that identify new security weaknesses, configuration tracking that ensures systems remain adequately secured over time, and real-time threat intelligence integration that keeps defenses current against emerging threats.

Partnering with a FedRAMP High-authorized provider like 1Kosmos offers organizations enhanced security, access to exclusive government contracts, and increased credibility in regulated industries.

By working with a trusted partner that has undergone rigorous third-party assessments, highly regulated agencies can ensure top-tier protection against cyber threats, unlock valuable federal business opportunities, and strengthen their reputation in sectors like healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure:

Key Benefits:

• Advanced Security: Benefit from proven, defense-in-depth strategies designed to protect against sophisticated cyber threats.
• Exclusive Access to Federal Contracts: Gain eligibility for high-value government contracts that require FedRAMP High authorization.
• Increased Trust and Credibility: Demonstrate a commitment to security and compliance, opening doors in highly regulated industries.

Cloud service providers handling the most sensitive government data must obtain FedRAMP High authorization before serving federal agencies, seeing as this requirement applies to systems where security breaches, such as law enforcement operations, national security activities, or critical infrastructure support could have severe consequences.

Healthcare SaaS platforms managing sensitive patient records for agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs or the CDC, and cloud solutions supporting emergency response, defense, or infrastructure protection, all fall under this category.

Even if a cloud provider did not originally plan to serve government customers, once a federal agency relies on their system for high-impact operations, achieving FedRAMP High becomes mandatory.

• Law enforcement and national security data: Platforms processing sensitive investigative, intelligence, or homeland security information.
• Healthcare systems: SaaS providers managing patient records or health surveillance data for agencies such as Veterans Affairs or the CDC.
• Emergency Response Operations: Cloud services support disaster recovery, crisis management, and coordination of first responders.
• Defense Systems: Providers handling mission-critical workloads for the Department of Defense or military operations.
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Services safeguarding energy grids, transportation systems, and other vital public resources.
• Any High-Impact System Used by Federal Agencies: Even if the cloud provider did not intend to target the public sector, reliance by a government agency triggers the need for FedRAMP High compliance.

Achieving FedRAMP High authorization is a structured, multi-phase process that ensures cloud service providers meet the government’s strictest security standards. The journey involves three main stages, each with critical requirements and timelines.

• Pre-Authorization (5–6 weeks)
  • Secure a Sponsoring Federal Agency: A government agency must agree to back your service and guide it through the FedRAMP process.
  • Notify the FedRAMP PMO of Intent: Inform the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) that you plan to pursue authorization.
  • Complete Readiness Tasks: Submit required CSP information forms, complete initial assessments, and prepare foundational compliance materials.
• During Authorization (6–12 months)
  • Implement All 421 Required Controls: Align with NIST 800-53 security controls at the High baseline, covering confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
  • Develop Formal Security Documentation: Create a complete System Security Plan (SSP), Security Assessment Plan (SAP), and supporting compliance documents.
  • Undergo Rigorous 3PAO Testing: Work with an accredited 3PAO to validate compliance and remediate findings before authorization.
• Post-Authorization (ongoing)
  • Conduct Monthly Vulnerability Scans: Continuously test systems to detect risks before they can be exploited.
  • Maintain and Report on All Controls: Provide regular evidence to prove controls remain practical and operational.
  • Remediate Vulnerabilities Promptly: Address security findings within the timelines mandated by FedRAMP, which typically range from 30 days (for critical vulnerabilities) to 180 days (for lower-risk ones).

1Kosmos offers the only Kantara-certified, FedRAMP High–authorized identity platform specifically designed for high-security federal and critical infrastructure missions. Our solution combines cutting-edge biometric authentication, passwordless access, and comprehensive compliance frameworks to provide unmatched security while ensuring regulatory adherence.

By partnering with 1Kosmos, organizations in key sectors can benefit from a solution that:

• Federal Agencies and Contractors: Meet the highest security standards for handling sensitive government data and gain access to exclusive, high-value federal contracts.
• Healthcare Providers: Protect patient data and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other industry regulations through secure identity management and authentication.
• Financial Institutions: Safeguard financial data and ensure compliance with industry standards like GLBA, FFIEC, and PCI-DSS.

State and local governments modernizing their digital services can also benefit from partnering with 1Kosmos to enhance security, streamline service delivery, and fortify defenses against fraud and identity theft.

Sectors with strict regulations are pressured to deliver secure, convenient digital services, yet rising identity fraud threatens to derail transformation efforts and drain public resources. Meanwhile, traditional identity verification methods often fail to detect synthetic and stolen identities early, creating barriers for legitimate citizens and residents.

1Kosmos solves this with a single, FedRAMP High Authorized, Kantara-certified platform that verifies identity at first touch and every login. Through a user-friendly, self-service enrollment process, agencies can detect and block fraudulent identities across 150 countries, issue strong digital identity wallets, and replace passwords with phishing-resistant biometric MFA.