FedRAMP Levels Explained & Compared (with Recommendations)

FedRAMP is the federal government’s standardized approach to securing cloud services.

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) was created in 2011 to unify how agencies evaluate and authorize cloud solutions. FedRAMP introduced a “do once, use many times” model: once a cloud service is authorized, other agencies can reuse that authorization instead of starting from scratch.

The purpose is clear: accelerate secure cloud adoption while ensuring every system meets the same measurable standards. Agencies save time and money, while vendors gain faster entry into the federal marketplace. Ultimately, FedRAMP builds trust between cloud providers and the U.S. government by enforcing a consistent security baseline.

FedRAMP has three impact levels: Low, Moderate, and High.

Each level is tied to the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199, which assesses the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (the CIA triad) if federal data is compromised:

• Low: Limited adverse effect
• Moderate: Serious adverse effect
• High: Severe or catastrophic adverse effect

These levels aren’t just labels. Certification is based on the danger that each level addresses, defining the number of security controls an organization must implement, the rigor of monitoring, and ultimately, the cost and time required for authorization.

FedRAMP High is the strictest civilian cloud security standard on the market, designed to protect citizen data outside of the defense and intelligence sectors.

With 421 security controls across 17 control families defined in NIST Special Publication 800-53, FedRAMP High covers systems where a breach could result in severe damage—think law enforcement databases, critical infrastructure, or national security-related but unclassified systems. This is the level agencies like the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security rely on.

High requires the strongest authentication (phishing-resistant MFA, cryptographic protections), granular logging, automated incident detection, and near real-time reporting. The oversight is comprehensive, with monthly scans, immediate remediation deadlines, and detailed reporting to federal stakeholders.

1Kosmos is one of the few FedRAMP High providers for identity management and authentication.

FedRAMP Moderate is the most widely used authorization level in the middle of the impact system.

Roughly 80% of all FedRAMP-authorized cloud service providers are at the Moderate level. Covering 325 security controls, Moderate is designed for systems handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as HR systems, procurement portals, and healthcare data repositories.

Moderate requires multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, monthly vulnerability scans, and a comprehensive incident response plan. It’s the sweet spot for most federal systems: it’s not overly restrictive, but strong enough to handle serious threats. For vendors, achieving Moderate opens the door to most federal contracts.

FedRAMP Low applies to systems with minimal sensitivity. With just 125 controls, Low covers public-facing websites, non-sensitive collaboration tools, and dev/test environments. While the requirements are lighter, they’re far from optional. Systems must still meet NIST 800-53 derived controls, undergo annual assessments, and perform monthly scans.

Low is often a starting point for smaller vendors or agencies deploying services that don’t touch sensitive data. It’s faster and cheaper to achieve, but the tradeoff is limited applicability.

Every FedRAMP level enforces the same core framework:

• Use NIST 800-53 derived controls across 17 control families.
• Require review by an accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO).
• Mandate continuous monitoring and vulnerability scanning.
• Document a System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M), and detailed policies.

The difference is not whether these practices are enforced, but how deeply. High digs further into every corner of system security, requiring far more evidence and rigor than Low.

The differences lie in scope, rigor, and cost for the provider to receive authorization:

• Control Volume: Low (125), Moderate (325), High (421)
• Authentication: Low may allow single-factor; Moderate and High require MFA, with High mandating advanced cryptographic protections.
• Monitoring: Low uses basic logging; High demands near real-time analytics and response.
• Incident Response: Low relies on manual processes. High requires automated detection and rapid mitigation.
• Cost and Time: Moderate can be double or triple the authorization cost of Low. High can add another 30–50% on top of Moderate, with longer timelines.

That means choosing a higher level is about ongoing operational maturity and resourcing.

Each level maps to specific use cases.\

• Low: Public websites, training systems, non-production environments.
• Moderate: The majority of federal agency systems handling CUI, financial applications, HR, procurement platforms, and healthcare systems.
• High: DOJ, DHS, DoD components, law enforcement, national security, critical infrastructure, and highly-regulated industries outside of government.

The higher the impact of a breach, the higher the FedRAMP level required.

Yes, if you’re handling what would be defined as “high impact” data (via FIPS 199). FedRAMP High CSPs deliver the strongest security protections, align with the most stringent compliance frameworks, and provide a competitive edge.

For agencies and contractors competing in sensitive sectors, FedRAMP High authorization sends a message: we operate at the highest civilian security standard available. That credibility can be the deciding factor in winning contracts.

1Kosmos combines FedRAMP High security with unmatched identity verification.

1Kosmos is the only Kantara-certified full-service Credential Service Provider (CSP) with FedRAMP High authorization. That means we meet the strictest federal standards while delivering identity-first solutions that:

• Verify identities against government standards (NIST 800-63-3)
• Support over 400 controls aligned to FedRAMP High.
• Deliver passwordless, biometric authentication resistant to phishing.
• Run in GovCloud with U.S. citizen-only staffing.
• Provide digital identity wallets that give citizens control of their data.

For federal agencies, this means more than compliance—it means modernization. 1Kosmos eliminates passwords, detects and blocks fraudulent identities with over 99% accuracy across 150 countries, and streamlines workforce, citizen, and contractor onboarding.

Government agencies face mounting pressure to deliver secure, convenient digital services, yet rising identity fraud threatens to derail transformation efforts and drain public resources. Traditional identity verification methods often fail to detect synthetic and stolen identities early, creating barriers for legitimate citizens and residents.

1Kosmos Government Solutions 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 with +99% accuracy across 150 countries, issue strong digital identity wallets, and replace passwords with phishing-resistant biometric MFA. Built on public-private key cryptography and secured in a distributed ledger, citizens retain complete control of their personal information while enjoying seamless, privacy-preserving access to services.

Ready to protect public resources, eliminate fraud, and streamline service delivery? Discover how 1Kosmos Government Solutions can power your secure digital transformation today.