FedRAMP Authorization Consulting: Moderate & High Baselines
FedRAMP authorization program build and continuous monitoring support for B2B SaaS and consulting firms selling to US federal agencies.

Comprehensive FedRAMP Authorization Consulting & End-to-End ATO Program Build
FedRAMP authorization is the gateway to selling cloud services to the US federal government. The program runs on the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 control set, parameterized for three impact baselines (Low at 156 controls, Moderate at around 320, High at around 420), executed through the NIST Risk Management Framework, validated by an accredited Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO), and operated under continuous monitoring. The 2024 FedRAMP Authorization Act codified the program; the 2024 to 2025 FedRAMP 20x modernization is reshaping it toward continuous authorization, OSCAL-native System Security Plans, and automated evidence collection. CSPs entering the program now should build to the new standard from day one.
Security Consultants prepares CSPs for FedRAMP authorization. We are not a 3PAO. We run the FIPS 199 categorization and baseline selection, draw the authorization boundary, author the SSP in OSCAL, build the supporting plans (ISCP, IR, CM, ConMon, CRM, POA&M), remediate technical gaps including FIPS-validated cryptography and phishing-resistant MFA, and coordinate the program through the 3PAO assessment and the Authorizing Official decision. Once the ATO letter is signed, our vCISO subscription operates monthly ConMon deliverables, annual reassessment readiness, and significant change governance. The same evidence base supports parallel ISO 27001 or SOC 2 programs.
Tight Authorization Boundary and FIPS 199 Categorization
The boundary is the single most consequential scoping decision in any FedRAMP program. We draw it tight, categorize per FIPS 199, select the Low, Moderate, or High baseline, and map every external service with its authorization status. Scope discipline at the start saves seven figures over the life of the program.
OSCAL-Native SSP Authoring
We author the System Security Plan and component definitions in OSCAL, the machine-readable format the FedRAMP PMO is moving toward under FedRAMP 20x. Build it once in OSCAL; avoid expensive re-authoring when the PMO mandates the format.
Readiness Consulting, Not 3PAO Assessment
We prepare you for the 3PAO. We are not the assessor and never will be. That separation lets us focus entirely on building a defensible program and representing it through the SAR and Authorizing Official decision, without the conflict that comes from selling readiness and assessment under one roof.
ATO is the Start, Not the Finish
ConMon is where most CSPs lose discipline after authorization. Our vCISO subscription operates monthly vulnerability scan packaging, POA&M maintenance with SLA-aligned remediation tracking, significant change requests, and annual reassessment readiness on the OSCAL SSP under version control.
A proven, methodical
approach
Project Kick-Off & Setup
We start with a project kick-off where the manager sets up your engagement in our project management platform. We confirm your authorization path (Agency ATO, JAB or successor Board, or FedRAMP Ready precursor), identify the sponsoring agency status, name an authorization program director, and agree the communication plan.
FIPS 199 Categorization & Boundary Definition
We categorize the system per FIPS 199 across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, select the Low, Moderate, or High baseline, and draw the authorization boundary. Every external service is mapped to its FedRAMP authorization status or flagged for replacement before the assessment.
Gap Analysis Against the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 Baseline
We assess your environment against the selected FedRAMP baseline across all 17 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 control families, with control-by-control implementation status, inheritance from the underlying authorized platform (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Government, or Oracle Government), and prioritized remediation tied to the assessment readiness milestone.
SSP, ISCP, IR, CRM and Body of Evidence
We author the System Security Plan in OSCAL with control implementation statements written as operational descriptions rather than policy restatements. The Information System Contingency Plan, Incident Response Plan, Configuration Management Plan, Continuous Monitoring Plan, Customer Responsibility Matrix, Interconnection Security Agreements, and Privacy Impact Assessment complete the package.
Technical Remediation & 3PAO Assessment Coordination
We close the technical gaps: FIPS 140-validated cryptography in transit and at rest with documented CMVP certificate references, phishing-resistant MFA for privileged users, FedRAMP-aligned vulnerability scanning with the Critical 30 / High 90 / Moderate 180-day SLAs, and ConMon-ready logging at three-year retention. We then coordinate the 3PAO security assessment, manage SAR findings into the POA&M, and represent the program through the Authorizing Official decision.
Post-ATO Operations, vCISO & Ongoing Assurance
Once the ATO letter is signed, our vCISO subscription operates monthly ConMon deliverables (scans, POA&M updates, significant change documentation, incident reports), annual contingency plan testing, annual penetration testing, and annual 3PAO reassessment readiness. The OSCAL SSP is maintained under version control and the evidence base is shared with parallel ISO 27001 or SOC 2 programs.