Everything You Need to Know About GovRAMP
A Practical Guide for Cloud Providers, SLED Agencies, and Cybersecurity Teams
This GovRAMP compliance guide is essential for cloud providers and government agencies navigating modern cybersecurity standards. Modeled after the federal FedRAMP program, GovRAMP offers a unified, scalable framework for evaluating and monitoring cloud security at the state and local level (SLED).
In this article, we’ll break down what GovRAMP is, how it differs from FedRAMP, and why it matters for both cloud service providers (CSPs) and government stakeholders.
What Is GovRAMP?
GovRAMP (previously known as StateRAMP) is a nonprofit organization that helps state and local governments verify the cybersecurity posture of cloud-based service providers. It provides a standardized framework for assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring—ensuring that vendors meet clearly defined security benchmarks.
GovRAMP brings together state CIOs, CISOs, and private sector experts, including contributors from NASCIO (National Association of State Chief Information Officers), to develop a secure-by-design strategy tailored to state needs. Learn more from the official GovRAMP website.
How Is GovRAMP Different from FedRAMP?
While GovRAMP is based on FedRAMP, there are a few important distinctions:
| Category | GovRAMP | FedRAMP |
|---|---|---|
| Control Framework | NIST SP 800-53 | NIST SP 800-53 |
| Audits Required | Yes (3PAO) | Yes (3PAO) |
| Sponsorship Model | State or local sponsor | Federal agency sponsor or JAB |
| Continuous Monitoring | Required | Required |
| Reciprocity with FedRAMP | Yes (via Fast Track) | N/A |
| Impact Levels | Low, Moderate, High | Low, Moderate, High |
| Statuses | Ready, In Process, Authorized | In Process, Ready, Authorized |
Why This GovRAMP Compliance Guide Matters
Cloud adoption among states and municipalities has surged—but so have cyber threats. In 2020 alone, ransomware attacks impacted 71 million people and caused nearly $19 billion in damage across U.S. government entities.
While FedRAMP covers federal cloud security, state and local governments had no unified framework—leaving procurement officials to make risk decisions in silos. GovRAMP fills that gap.
How GovRAMP Works
In this GovRAMP compliance guide, we cover the full authorization process from 3PAO partnership to continuous monitoring.
Like FedRAMP, GovRAMP follows the NIST Risk Management Framework and requires:
- Alignment with NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5
- Partnership with a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO)
- Submission of a Security Assessment Package
- Participation in Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)
Cloud providers are evaluated and assigned a category based on the impact of the data they handle:
- Category 1 – Public data only (FedRAMP Low equivalent)
- Category 2 – Includes limited sensitive/PII (Low-Moderate hybrid)
- Category 3 – Sensitive, mission-critical data (FedRAMP Moderate equivalent)
- Category 4 – FedRAMP High reciprocal systems
GovRAMP also offers tools like a data classification wizard to help agencies and vendors determine appropriate requirements.
GovRAMP Security Statuses
Each CSP’s service offering progresses through verification stages:
- Active – Baseline security posture established
- Ready – Minimum requirements met with 3PAO assessment
- In Process – Undergoing authorization with a government sponsor
- Pending – Final package submitted for review
- Authorized – Fully approved, actively monitored
To remain in good standing, vendors must adhere to ongoing monitoring and report on risk posture regularly.
Why GovRAMP Matters for Cloud Providers and Agencies
A complete GovRAMP compliance guide ensures your team understands not just the controls—but the strategy behind them. GovRAMP reduces the burden of repetitive vendor security reviews for government IT leaders and gives CSPs a clear path to market. It ensures:
- Standardized security requirements across jurisdictions
- Objective 3PAO-led assessments
- Improved procurement speed and confidence
- Ongoing compliance with continuous monitoring
For CSPs, achieving GovRAMP status is a powerful differentiator in the increasingly competitive SLED market.
Final Thoughts
GovRAMP is more than a compliance requirement—it’s a framework for trust and resilience across state and local cloud ecosystems. As cyber threats rise and SLED IT teams grow more reliant on external cloud services, GovRAMP fills a critical governance gap.
Want help navigating GovRAMP readiness or leveraging your FedRAMP ATO for a fast-track? Contact us to learn how c1secure can accelerate your journey.
