FedRAMP Low

Data centers must undergo annual independent security assessments by GSA-accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs) using the FedRAMP Assessment Methodology (FAM), with documented evidence of control implementation maintained throughout the authorization period.

This requirement includes monthly vulnerability scanning, configuration compliance monitoring, log analysis spanning 90 days minimum, and submission of System Security Plans (SSPs) and continuous monitoring plans to the federal authorizing official.

Unlike one-time certifications, FedRAMP Low mandates real-time tracking of security metrics and remediation of high and critical vulnerabilities within strict timeframes (typically 15-30 days depending on severity).

All data transmission in transit and at rest must utilize cryptographic mechanisms validated to NIST FIPS 140-2 Level 1 or higher, with approved algorithms from NIST SP 800-175B (such as AES-256 for encryption and SHA-256 for hashing).

Data centers must implement cryptographic key management systems with documented procedures for key generation, storage, rotation (minimum every 90 days or per organizational policy), and destruction, with the ability to demonstrate separation of duties for key management operations.

This applies to all customer data, backup systems, and inter-datacenter communications, requiring data center operators to conduct cryptographic inventories and maintain Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) compliance across entire infrastructure stacks.

FedRAMP Low mandates role-based access control (RBAC) implementation with principle of least privilege, requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all privileged and non-privileged remote access to systems processing federal data.

Data centers must maintain access control lists, implement session monitoring with automatic logout after 15-minute inactivity periods, and enforce account management procedures including approval workflows for privileged access requests.

This extends to contractor and third-party personnel, requiring documented agreements addressing access control requirements and annual re-certification of access rights.

Data centers must establish and test incident response procedures with documented processes for detecting, responding to, and reporting security incidents to federal agencies and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within mandated timeframes (typically 24 hours for federal notification of breaches).

Organizations must maintain incident logs for minimum two years, conduct post-incident reviews within 30 days, and provide evidence of lessons learned implementation.

This requirement includes maintaining on-call incident response teams, conducting annual tabletop exercises, and establishing coordination procedures with federal agencies during active security events.

Data centers must document and maintain approved security baselines for all infrastructure components (servers, network devices, firewalls, storage systems) using configuration management tools, with documented procedures for change control, testing, and authorization before production deployment.

The security baseline documentation must align with National Checklist Program (NCP) guidelines or DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) where applicable, with monthly configuration compliance scanning demonstrating adherence.

Any deviations from approved baselines require formal risk assessment, documented justification, and authorizing official approval before implementation.

FedRAMP Low requires comprehensive audit logging across all systems processing federal data, with SIEM solutions aggregating and analyzing logs from network devices, operating systems, databases, and applications for anomaly detection and threat analysis.

Data centers must retain audit logs for minimum 90 days online and archive historical logs for minimum one year, implementing secure log storage with write-once-read-many (WORM) protection to prevent tampering.

SIEM systems must generate real-time alerts for suspicious activities, privilege escalation attempts, and policy violations, with documented response procedures for alert investigation and escalation.

Data center facilities must implement FedRAMP-specific physical security measures including controlled access points with badge reader systems maintaining audit trails, video surveillance with 30-day minimum retention, environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, water detection) with automated alerts, and periodic physical security assessments.

Data centers must restrict physical access to authorized personnel only, implement visitor management procedures with escorted access requirements, and maintain separate secure areas for cryptographic key storage and sensitive equipment.

Disaster recovery and business continuity procedures must address facility-level threats with documented recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) meeting federal requirements.

Data centers must develop and maintain a comprehensive System Security Plan (SSP) documenting all 125 required FedRAMP Low controls, including system architecture, data flow diagrams, control implementation details, and risk assessment findings.

The SSP must be version-controlled, reviewed annually, updated within 30 days of significant system changes, and submitted to the federal authorizing official for review.

The complete authorization package, including the SSP, Risk Assessment Report, Continuous Monitoring Plan, and 3PAO assessment report, must remain current and available for federal agency review, with evidence of approval from the designated authorizing official (Agency AO).