Unlock federal business with FedRAMP

FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is a U.S. government-wide framework that standardizes security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services used by federal agencies. If your organization provides a cloud service (SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS) to any U.S. federal agency and that service handles federal data, FedRAMP certificationis either required or strongly expected. The program allows CSPs to conduct business with the federal government.

Rev 5 is the traditional authorization pathway based on the full NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 control catalog. It is comprehensive, applicable to all impact levels, and required for most existing agency relationships. FedRAMP 20x is a modernized pathway that uses automated control validation and continuous monitoring to streamline the assessment process, particularly for Low and Moderate impact systems. 20x significantly reduces time-to-authorization and cost for eligible systems. A-LIGN supports both pathways and can advise which is appropriate given your system architecture and target agency.

FedRAMP assessment costs vary significantly based on class level, system complexity, number of controls in scope, and whether penetration testing is included. A-LIGN provides transparent milestone-based pricing, so contact the team for a scoped estimate based on your specific system boundaries.

A full Rev 5 authorization typically takes 12 to 18 months from initial kickoff to an agency-issued ATO, assuming the CSP's documentation is in reasonable shape at the start. Readiness gaps, incomplete SSP documentation, or slow agency review cycles are the most common causes of delay. FedRAMP 20x Class A certifications can be completed in weeks for well-prepared systems. A-LIGN's A-SCEND platform gives you real-time visibility into exactly where you are in the process and what is needed next.

Under the traditional Rev 5 agency authorization path, yes, a federal agency must agree to sponsor your organization. However, FedRAMP 20x does not require agency sponsorship, making entry more accessible. A-LIGN will advise you on the right sponsorship path based on your existing and targeted agency relationships.

Rev 5: yes. Penetration testing is a baseline control in every class, runs at least every 12 months, and Classes C and D also require red team exercises. 20x: There is no formal rule or Key Security Indicator mandates a pen test, but it is one of the named techniques for meeting the vulnerability detection rules that become mandatory December 7, 2026.