WHy A-lign

FedRAMP 20x with a top federal assessor

Unlock federal revenue that used to require years of upfront investment with FedRAMP 20x. Engagements run on transparent milestones managed through A-SCEND, A-LIGN's own FedRAMP 20x–certified audit platform. 

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A new path to certification

FedRAMP authorization used to mean years of runway and seven-figure investment before you earned your first federal dollar. Not anymore. With 20x, A-LIGN gets you to certification in weeks, not months, at a fraction of the cost – on a path sized for your team, your timeline, and your budget.

Federal revenue, now within reach

Whether you're moving from Rev 5 or starting fresh with a Class A certification, A-LIGN is your partner on the path to federal revenue. We'll connect you with the right readiness provider from our trusted network, and stay independent as your assessor – so you're prepared, and your certification makes federal revenue within reach.

Transparent execution

Clear milestones and project plans keep you informed from kickoff to certification: no surprises, no missed dependencies. It's a process refined through our experience as a Top 3 FedRAMP assessor (3PAO), so you always know what's coming and what's needed next.

Efficient audit management with A-SCEND

A-LIGN's audit management platform, A-SCEND, is itself FedRAMP 20x certified. That means your assessment runs on technology that has been through the exact process you're navigating – we don't just assess the standard, we've met it.

Why A-LIGN

Leverage a top 3 3PAO to win federal business

Few assessors have seen more paths to certification than A-LIGN. As a Top 3 3PAO, we've guided organizations through every route – pursuing 20x, transitioning from Rev 5, or maintaining an existing certification – and we know the route to get you there.

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Readiness Assessment

Know where you stand. With a readiness assessment, the A-LIGN team reviews your environment against the desired FedRAMP certification level so that you begin with a clear picture of the path ahead.

FedRAMP Certification

As a top 3PAO, we conduct an independent assessment to help you achieve FedRAMP Certification across all certification classes as they become available.

Annual Assessment

Certification isn’t a one-time event. We combine annual assessments with continuous monitoring to keep your certification current between cycles. No lapses in compliance, no scrambling.

FedRAMP 20x Transition

Certified under Rev 5? We’ll guide your transition assessment to FedRAMP 20x before the Rev 5 path sunsets on your timeline, not the deadline’s.

Rev 5 Authorization

Achieve or maintain Rev 5 Authorization with a fully established 3PAO. A-LIGN’s extensive federal expertise guides your assessment under NIST 800-53 Revision 5 from start to finish.

A-LIGN by the numbers

audits completed
36k+
customer satisfaction
96%
clients globally
6.4k+
auditors globally
400+
Platform Innovation

Modernized compliance makes rigor repeatable

A-SCEND pairs expert auditors and powerful technology with a process sharpened over 36,000+ audits. The result: compliance that helps you grow and expand into new markets with rigor built in, not bolted on.

SUCCESS STORIES

Trusted across the federal compliance landscape

From FedRAMP 20x to multi-framework programs, see why federal cloud providers choose A-LIGN as their 3PAO.

Helpful Resources

Support for your compliance journey

From guides to whitepapers, we've got the resources to move your compliance program forward.

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Resource Webinar Inside the FedRAMP 20X Pilot 1 1
Resource Case Study IntelliGRC 1 0
Resource Webinar The Evolution of FedRAMP 1 0
Resource Article FedRAMP 20x What’s new and what’s next 1 0

Frequently asked questions

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What is FedRAMP, and do we need it?

FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is the government's security standard for cloud services. Agencies can only buy cloud products that have passed it. So if you want to sell your service to a federal agency, you need it. If you have no plans to sell to the government, you do not.

What is the difference between Rev 5 and 20x, and which is right for us?

Both lead to the same FedRAMP certification, just by different routes. Rev 5 is the traditional path, built on detailed documents and manual review, and it covers every level up to High. 20x is the newer path, built for cloud-native services, that uses automated, machine-readable evidence instead of paperwork. If you are cloud-native, 20x is usually faster. If you run your own infrastructure or need the high-level, Rev 5 is your path.

Do we need an agency sponsor?

It depends on the path. 20x does not need one. On Rev 5, the high-level still needs a federal agency to sponsor you. For the Moderate level, there are now options for FedRAMP sponsors to sponsor you directly if you qualify. The short version is that the only place you truly need your own sponsor today is Rev 5 at the High level.

Is a penetration test required?

Yes. For Moderate and High systems, a penetration test is mandatory. Your assessor, the third-party assessment organization (3PAO), runs it as part of the assessment, so it is not a separate vendor you have to find. It checks whether someone could actually break in, not just whether the paperwork is in order.

How long does FedRAMP certification take?

It depends on your path and how ready your evidence is. A Rev 5 Moderate certification usually takes about 12 to 18 months. A 20x certification can move much faster, often in months, because the evidence is automated. The biggest factor is your own readiness, not the assessor.

Do we need a FedRAMP readiness assessment?

It is optional, but most teams do one. A readiness assessment is a practice run that finds your gaps before the formal assessment, while they are still cheap and quick to fix. It is the simplest way to avoid surprises and keep your timeline on track.

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