FedRAMP High vs Moderate

Overview

The FedRAMP High Baseline makes up an intricate framework of security controls established by FedRAMP to safeguard sensitive, unclassified government data. This high-level security extends its coverage to national security, public safety, and financial stability, providing confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information. Notably, it surpasses the requirements of FedRAMP Moderate to address data with severe consequences if compromised.

Use Cases and Recommendations

FedRAMP Moderate is recommended when hosting non-sensitive, unclassified information that requires a moderate level of security protection. It's suitable for applications handling personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive but unclassified information. Organizations with less stringent security requirements and lower budget considerations may find FedRAMP Moderate more appropriate.

FedRAMP High is recommended for hosting highly sensitive, classified, or mission-critical information. It's essential for applications that, if compromised, could have severe consequences for national security, public safety, or the continuity of government operations. Organizations dealing with top-secret data or requiring the highest level of security should opt for FedRAMP High.

Key Components

1. Data Classification: Data classification is foundational to FedRAMP High, involving the definition of criteria for categorizing data based on sensitivity. This provides the highest protection for data with significant consequences, involving the evaluation and assignment of security controls. In contrast, FedRAMP Moderate has a less stringent approach, requiring adherence to a baseline set of security controls.

2. Access Controls: Access control is critical in FedRAMP High, managing, and restricting access to sensitive information. Robust authentication and authorization mechanisms ensure only authorized personnel interact with the data. In FedRAMP, Moderate access controls are still important but follow a less rigorous set of requirements compared to the High Baseline.

3. Encryption Standards: Encryption serves as a fundamental safeguard within FedRAMP High, mandating strong encryption protocols for data at REST, in transit, and during processing. This guarantees data remains confidential and unreadable even in the event of unauthorized access. FedRAMP Moderate also requires encryption, but with less stringent requirements.

4. Incident Response and Reporting: Effective incident response is crucial in FedRAMP High, with protocols for identifying, responding to, and reporting security incidents promptly. This provides a swift and coordinated response to mitigate potential risks. Incident response in FedRAMP Moderate follows a similar principle but with fewer specific requirements.

5. Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is an ongoing process within FedRAMP High, with consistent checks on security controls and systems to detect and address potential vulnerabilities. Regular assessments and audits maintain a high level of security readiness. FedRAMP Moderate also requires continuous monitoring, but with less stringent requirements compared to the High Baseline.

FedRAMP High and Cloud Environments

1. Cloud Service Provider (CSP) Compliance: FedRAMP High places significant emphasis on compliance for CSPs hosting government data. It requires rigorous assessments to adhere to specified security controls. FedRAMP Moderate also requires compliance but with a less exhaustive set of controls compared to the High Baseline.

2. Data Residency and Sovereignty: FedRAMP High addresses concerns about the physical location of data, protecting compliance with government regulations on data residency and sovereignty. Data residency and sovereignty considerations in FedRAMP Moderate are also present but with less stringent requirements compared to the High Baseline.

3. Secure Data Transfer: The baseline mandates secure data transfer mechanisms, requiring the implementation of secure channels for data transfer between government systems and the cloud environment. Secure data transfer in FedRAMP Moderate follows similar principles but with less stringent requirements.

Comparison with FedRAMP Moderate

FedRAMP Moderate and FedRAMP High are two different impact levels within the program, each with its own set of requirements and considerations.

1. Security Controls:

· FedRAMP Moderate: CSPs must implement a baseline set of security controls defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53. These controls cover a wide range of security areas, including access control, incident response, and system and information integrity.

· FedRAMP High: In addition to the baseline controls required for Moderate, CSPs at the High level must implement additional security controls specific to

protecting sensitive and classified information. These controls are outlined in NIST SP 800–53 Revision 4, Appendix F, and include stricter requirements for encryption, physical security, and personnel screening.

2. Data Sensitivity:

· FedRAMP Moderate: Suitable for hosting non-sensitive, unclassified information that requires a moderate level of security protection. It covers a wide range of federal data, including personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive but unclassified information.

· FedRAMP High: Designed for hosting highly sensitive, classified, or mission-critical information. It includes data that, if compromised, could have severe consequences for national security, public safety, or the continuity of government operations.

3. Authorization Process:

· FedRAMP Moderate: Involves a comprehensive security assessment and documentation of the implemented security controls. Cloud Service Providers (CSP) undergo an independent assessment by FedRAMP-accredited third-party assessment organizations (3PAO). Which demonstrates compliance with security requirements.

· FedRAMP High: The authorization process is more rigorous and demanding. Cloud Service Providers must meet all the requirements of Moderate, as well as additional controls specific to High. The security assessment and authorization process for high-level services involves more in-depth scrutiny and may require additional documentation and evidence of compliance.

4. Continuous Monitoring:

· FedRAMP Moderate: Requires the implementation of a continuous monitoring program to ensure ongoing compliance with the security controls. This includes regular vulnerability scanning, incident response testing, and periodic security assessments.

· FedRAMP High: The continuous monitoring requirements for high-level cloud services are more stringent. Cloud Service Providers must implement more frequent and comprehensive monitoring activities. This includes continuous monitoring of security controls, real-time threat intelligence, and more frequent security assessments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FedRAMP Moderate and FedRAMP High provide secure frameworks for cloud services. FedRAMP Moderate suits non-sensitive data with budget constraints, while FedRAMP High excels for highly classified information, demanding a more resource-intensive approach. The choice depends on data nature, security needs, and budget considerations. FedRAMP's

High's significance grows as cloud computing evolves, emphasizing the need for a strategic security approach in government operations. A more careful framework provides compliance and protects critical information in the dynamic digital landscape. Consult with a Commvault expert for a recommendation.