Enabling FedRAMP Compliance Through BYOC Solutions
FedRAMP-authorized Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) face strict constraints on the software they can use, slowing down engineering velocity and innovation. However, non-FedRAMP software vendors don’t have to be locked out of this market. By leveraging Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) or self-hosted models, software companies can operate within FedRAMP environments without waiting years for authorization.
The FedRAMP Compliance Chain Reaction
FedRAMP compliance isn’t just a requirement, it’s a cascading limitation. When a CSP pursues FedRAMP authorization, every tool and service inside its authorization boundary must also meet FedRAMP controls. That means everything from CI/CD pipelines and monitoring tools to security software and developer productivity platforms must be FedRAMP-compliant.
For SaaS vendors, this restriction presents a challenge and an opportunity. Even if your company never plans to sell directly to the government, having software that can be deployed within FedRAMP environments unlocks a growing market of CSPs that need compliant solutions.
The Traditional vs. BYOC Approach
Getting FedRAMP authorization requires a significant investment: 12-18 months of effort and hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, there are alternative deployment strategies that allow CSPs to use your software while remaining compliant:
- Traditional FedRAMP ATO: Full authorization process with FedRAMP PMO and vendor manages the service
- Hosted Model: Customers deploy and operate your software within their FedRAMP boundary and customer manages deployment and compliance
- BYOC Model: Software runs in the customer’s FedRAMP environment, but you provide operational support and customer deploys; vendor provides support within FedRAMP controls
The key difference is shared responsibility—determining who handles deployment, compliance enforcement, and ongoing updates.
Meeting FedRAMP Requirements
For FedRAMP CSPs to use your software, they must demonstrate compliance within their System Security Plan (SSP). There are two common ways to prove this:
- Existing Deployments – If other FedRAMP-authorized CSPs are successfully using your software, it provides a precedent that others can follow.
- Independent Compliance Analysis – Conducting an assessment to document how your software aligns with FedRAMP controls, including specific configuration requirements.
The following areas are especially critical:
- FIPS 140-2 Compliance – Ensuring encryption modules meet FIPS 140-2 standards and are properly documented in the Cryptographic Modules Table.
- STIG Hardening – Applying DISA STIGs to operating systems, containers, and infrastructure, in line with the latest v5 guidance.
- Vulnerability Management – Demonstrating automated scanning at the OS, container, database, and web application layers, with clean results.
- Identity & Access Management (IAM) – Controlling access with strong authentication (MFA, session timeouts) and ensuring operational support does not introduce unauthorized access.
In BYOC deployments, particular attention must be paid to access control:
- Can federal data or metadata cross the authorization boundary?
- Are administrative access and support operations aligned with FedRAMP security controls?
Unlocking the FedRAMP Market
By structuring your software for BYOC or hosted deployment, you can provide solutions to FedRAMP CSPs without undergoing the full authorization process.
FedRAMP Labs can help you navigate these requirements, document your compliance approach, and create a deployment model that works for your customers. Let’s discuss how you can position your software for adoption in FedRAMP environments—contact us today at info@fedramplabs.com.