WHy A-lign

Leverage our extensive federal expertise

A-LIGN is one of the top FedRAMP 3PAOs in the world, with a 100% authorization success rate, 1,000+ federal assessments completed, and a team of 75+ dedicated federal specialists. We bring the scale, pattern recognition, and current-rule fluency needed to turn FISMA from an open-ended process into a clear, achievable path.

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Conduct business with the federal government

Meeting FISMA requirements enables your organization to do business in compliance with the federal government. Agencies expect the contractors and service providers that touch their data to meet the same security bar they do and demonstrated FISMA compliance is often the ticket to entry for winning and keeping federal work.

Obtain your ATO

Demonstrates your ability to meet federal agencies’ cybersecurity compliance requirements to obtain an authorization to operate (ATO). An independent assessment gives your agency sponsor the documented evidence it needs to grant and renew your authorization with confidence.

Cover security best practices

Ensures you are covering best practices outlined in many security frameworks. Because NIST 800-53 is one of the most comprehensive control catalogs available, the work you do for FISMA maps directly to frameworks like FedRAMP, SOC 2, and ISO 27001, strengthening your broader security program along the way.

Partner with proven federal experience

Depend on a trusted partner like A-LIGN, with extensive federal assessment experience across FISMA and NIST Special Publication 800-53. With 1,000+ federal assessments completed and a dedicated team of federal specialists, we know what agencies look for, and how to steer you past the pitfalls that stall first-time assessments.

OUR SERVICES

Services for every stage

From pre-authorization readiness to full agency and program-sponsored authorization, A-LIGN supports every stage of the FISMA and FedRAMP compliance journey.

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NIST 800-53 gap assessment

We review your environment and determine if it is technically capable of meeting NIST 800-53 requirements.

NIST 800-53 assessment

We will conduct an independent review of NIST 800-53 requirements with documented test results.

System risk categorization

We identify the risk categorization of your organization and identify the specific controls from NIST 800-53 that must be in place to comply with the standard.

Security control implementation and assessment

Following the testing guidance from NIST, we conduct an assessment to determine your organization’s compliance with NIST 800-53. With the use of agency-supplied templates, A-LIGN can assist with your organization’s FISMA compliance requirements.

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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

Clients save time with a leader in federal assessments

Hear from organizations that transformed their compliance programs with A-LIGN.

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 NIST 800 53 
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Resource Article FedRAMP vs FISMA 1 0
Resource Article FedRAMP FISMA NIST and CMMC 1 0
Resource Guide The Ultimate Guide to Federal Compliance 1 0

Frequently asked questions

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What is FISMA, and who needs to comply?

The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requires federal agencies, and the contractors and service providers that handle federal data on their behalf, to develop, document, and implement an information security program based on NIST standards. If you are pursuing federal contracts or already supporting an agency, FISMA compliance is likely a contractual requirement.

How is FISMA different from FedRAMP?

Both are built on NIST 800-53, but they apply in different situations. FISMA governs the security of federal information systems and is assessed agency by agency, while FedRAMP is a standardized program specifically for cloud service providers selling to the federal government. Many organizations pursue both, and A-LIGN supports the full federal compliance spectrum.

What does the FISMA compliance process look like?

It follows the NIST Risk Management Framework: categorize your system's risk level under FIPS 199, select and implement the applicable NIST 800-53 controls, document your security program in a System Security Plan, and undergo an independent assessment. The assessment results support the agency's decision to grant an authorization to operate (ATO).

How long does a FISMA assessment take?

Timelines depend on your system's risk categorization and the maturity of your existing security program. Organizations that already hold certifications like SOC 2 or ISO 27001 have a head start, since many controls overlap. A NIST 800-53 gap assessment is the fastest way to establish a realistic timeline and surface issues while they are still inexpensive to fix.

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