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Your Guide to FedRAMP Marketplace Designations

February 13, 2025 | Cybersecurity Consulting, FedRAMP

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Marketplace is a centralized repository of cloud service offerings (CSOs) that have achieved specific designations, indicating their progress and status within the FedRAMP authorization process. These designations—FedRAMP Ready, In Process, and Authorized—provide federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs) with clear indicators of a CSO’s compliance with federal security standards.

FedRAMP Ready

This designation signifies that a CSO has undergone a comprehensive readiness assessment by an accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO). The 3PAO evaluates the CSO’s capabilities and documents its findings in a Readiness Assessment Report (RAR). The RAR documents the service offering’s system information, compliance with federal mandates, and ability to meet FedRAMP security requirements. Upon approval of the RAR by the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO), the CSO is listed as FedRAMP Ready on the Marketplace. 

FedRAMP In Process

A CSO with the In Process designation is actively engaged in the FedRAMP authorization process. There are multiple requirements for the CSO to be listed as In Process, including obtaining written confirmation of the agency’s intent to authorize, submitting a completed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that aligns with timeline requirements, and confirming their system is fully operational. The In Process status reflects a commitment to meeting FedRAMP requirements and is a critical step toward achieving full authorization. 

FedRAMP Authorized

The Authorized designation is granted to CSOs that have successfully completed the rigorous FedRAMP authorization process. This status confirms that the CSO meets all necessary security requirements and is approved for use across federal agencies. Authorized CSOs are listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, providing agencies with a trusted resource for selecting compliant cloud services. 

The FedRAMP Marketplace offers a searchable database of CSOs across these designations, making it an essential tool for agencies seeking secure cloud solutions and for CSPs aiming to demonstrate their compliance with federal security standards.

Why BARR for FedRAMP Compliance 

Achieving FedRAMP authorization is a complex endeavor for cloud service providers aiming to serve federal agencies. Partnering with an experienced advisor like BARR Advisory can streamline the process and enhance your organization’s security posture. 

With over a decade of experience, BARR has supported CSPs through the intricacies of FedRAMP readiness, authorization, and continuous monitoring. Our expert consultants have contributed to more than 100 FedRAMP packages and collaborated directly with the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) to shape industry guidance. 

BARR offers end-to-end solutions tailored to each stage of the FedRAMP journey, including:

  • Strategy and Roadmap Planning: Assessing business goals and compliance readiness to develop a customized plan for achieving authorization.
  • Gap Analysis: Evaluating cloud environments, security controls, and business processes to identify areas needing improvement.
  • Security Architecture and Engineering: Providing expert support to build and remediate security architectures and controls.
  • Security Plan Package Preparation: Developing essential documentation, such as System Security Plans (SSPs) and Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms).
  • Continuous Monitoring: Offering ongoing assessment and reporting to maintain compliance.

No matter where you are in your FedRAMP journey, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get started.

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