Why FedRAMP authorization matters for GRC platforms
When you implement a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platform, you’re not just adding another piece of software. You’re centralizing the most sensitive parts of your business: security controls, vulnerabilities, audit evidence, risk registers, vendor data, and remediation plans.
Think of it as handing over the keys to your kingdom — or the Rosetta Stone to your entire technology stack. If that platform is compromised, the fallout doesn’t just hit the platform provider. It hits every customer whose sensitive data was stored inside.
That’s why FedRAMP authorization matters.
Why GRC platforms are high-value targets
Attackers know that GRC platforms contain:
- Detailed architecture diagrams
- Vulnerability scan results
- POA&Ms with open risks
- Security policies and procedures
- Access logs and user lists
In other words, everything an attacker would need to exploit your environment at scale. A breach here isn’t just data leakage. It’s a blueprint for how to attack your systems.
Unfortunately, there have already been examples of platforms in the compliance and audit space experiencing major breaches and data co-mingling issues. Those incidents highlight the obvious question: why would you entrust that level of information to a platform that doesn’t meet the same standards you’re expected to meet.
What FedRAMP authorization proves
FedRAMP authorization isn’t just a rubber stamp. It demonstrates that a platform has:
- Independent validation of its security controls by a certified third-party assessment organization (3PAO).
- Continuous monitoring with ongoing vulnerability scans, incident reporting, and regular plan of action updates.
- Structured change control to ensure updates don’t introduce new risk.
- Incident response requirements aligned with federal standards.
For customers, that means the platform isn’t just claiming to be secure — it has to prove it, every month, through continuous monitoring and oversight by the FedRAMP Program Management Office and sponsoring agencies.
Real-world example: The cost of a breach
Imagine a contractor that uses a non-FedRAMP GRC platform. That platform suffers a breach, exposing customer data. The attacker now has:
- A list of every open vulnerability the contractor hasn’t fixed
- Configuration details for sensitive systems
- User account lists and privilege levels
Within days, the contractor’s own systems are compromised using the attacker’s new playbook. The breach isn’t limited to the platform provider — it cascades to every organization whose data was stored there.
That’s the nightmare scenario FedRAMP is designed to prevent.
Why this matters beyond federal agencies
Some companies assume FedRAMP only matters if you’re working directly with federal agencies. The reality is broader:
- Commercial organizations also benefit when their GRC platforms are FedRAMP-authorized, because they inherit the assurance of continuous monitoring and independent validation.
- Prime contractors increasingly prefer subcontractors to use FedRAMP-authorized systems, since it reduces supply chain risk.
- State and local governments are adopting GovRAMP, which is modeled on FedRAMP, extending the same requirements to a wider audience.
In short: if a platform isn’t secure enough for the federal government, why would it be secure enough for your business.
The Diligent approach to FedRAMP security
At Diligent, we take this seriously because we know what’s at stake. Our platform is:
- FedRAMP Moderate Authorized
- IL5 Authorized for Department of Defense workloads
- In process for FedRAMP High
That means customers can confidently entrust their most sensitive compliance data to the platform, knowing it’s protected by the same standards the government itself requires.
And because FedRAMP requires continuous monitoring, customers also benefit from the ongoing oversight, reporting, and transparency that comes with it. It’s not just a one-time certification. It’s a continuous commitment to security.
Ready to talk tech? Here's what to ask your vendor
If you’re evaluating GRC platforms, here are the questions to put on the table:
- Do you have FedRAMP authorization? At what impact level?
- Which federal agencies sponsor your authorization?
- Are you currently pursuing higher authorizations (e.g., FedRAMP High, IL5)?
- How do you handle continuous monitoring and incident reporting?
- Can you provide evidence of independent assessments, not just internal claims?
If a vendor can’t answer those questions with clarity and proof, that’s a red flag.
No FedRAMP, no trust
When you put your compliance posture into a platform, you’re betting the business on that provider’s security. Without FedRAMP authorization, that bet comes with unnecessary risk.
In a market where breaches are inevitable and attackers are looking for the easiest way in, FedRAMP authorization isn’t just a badge. It’s a baseline.
For organizations evaluating their options, the question is simple: would you trust your business to anything less?
FedRAMP authorization is the standard for trustworthy GRC platforms
Explore Diligent's FedRAMP-authorized solutions to protect your organization's critical assets with continuous monitoring, independent validation, and government-grade security.
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