Navigating FedRAMP Compliance: Why It’s Crucial for Mobile Security

If your organization handles United States federal government data in cloud environments, it’s often a requirement to use FedRAMP-authorized solutions. The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) provides consistent standards for protecting unclassified data that passes between the federal government and privately owned third parties. Once a solution becomes FedRAMP-authorized, cybersecurity professionals have the assurance needed to meet the requirements of managing federal data. This pre-approval process helps streamline procurement, operate more efficiently, and standardize data risk management strategies.

Today’s mobile-enabled federal workforce, making devices attractive targets for threat actors seeking an initial access vector. By using FedRAMP-authorized mobile security solutions, you are in better control of the risk created by this expanded attack surface. Agencies need this standard level of assurance to effectively  safeguard sensitive information and remain compliant with U.S. government data standards.

What is FedRAMP compliance?

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program originated in 2011 as a way to standardize cloud security within the U.S. federal government. Instead of each agency having its own set of cybersecurity practices, FedRAMP requires adherence to a single, consistent set of regulations. As of 2022, all federal agencies must comply with FedRAMP requirements when handling unclassified data.

To ensure FedRAMP compliance, solution providers that work with the federal government must meet various levels of requirements, depending on the environment. At present, there are more than 350 tools available in the FedRAMP Marketplace, including Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security, which is authorized at the Moderate Level.

Due to the large volume of data accessed via smartphones and tablets in today’s modern federal workforce, a FedRAMP-authorized solution that can proactively defend against mobile threats can help cover crucial gaps in an agency’s overall data security strategy. Between phishing, iOS and Android vulnerability exploitation, and device theft, threat actors may find these devices easier to compromise than traditional laptop and desktop computers. FedRAMP-authorized solutions ensure mobile data is kept secure, even if the device (or user) in question presents a risk.

Benefits of FedRAMP authorization

There are three major benefits of adopting FedRAMP-authorized solutions:

• Cybersecurity: FedRAMP sets rigorous requirements for how organizations can store, share, and modify data. Using a FedRAMP-compliant service means that you can expect a baseline of confidentiality (private access to data), integrity (safeguards against cyber attacks), and availability (ease of use).
• Standardization: FedRAMP regulations are the same everywhere. Using FedRAMP-authorized solutions, public and private organizations can safely share unclassified data.
• Reusability: According to FedRAMP’s YouTube channel, its guiding principle is, “Do once, use many times.” Once a tool determines that a data package is secure, other authorized users can access and use it without having to request additional permissions or subject it to additional security checks.

These features are good for both the U.S. government and third-party vendors. Every party involved in a project can access and share secure data, even if they need to bring in additional agencies or contractors. Organizations can also choose from hundreds of FedRAMP-approved applications and services. Alternatively, they can certify their own tools by undertaking a three-step FedRAMP authorization process.

However, the biggest advantage of FedRAMP compliance is improved cybersecurity. According to a Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) report, the United States government suffered 11 “major” cybersecurity incidents last year, including attacks on the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. U.S. federal government data is an appealing target for threat actors. Therefore, the more layers of security in place, the better.

Last year, Lookout discovered a record-setting number of iOS vulnerabilities, in addition to widespread smartphone misconfigurations and privacy risks in popular apps. These mobile devices may or may not contain valuable organizational data, but they can almost always access sensitive information in the cloud. FedRAMP-compliant services specifically protect cloud data, severely limiting one possible vector for mobile attacks on your organization.

Additional best practices for mobile devices

In addition to using FedRAMP Authorized solutions, agencies that rely on mobile devices should reinforce positive user behavior to align with federal guidelines. If your organization already has a strong mobile cybersecurity framework, you should find many of these techniques familiar.

First, employees should take charge of their own mobile security as much as possible. That means:

• limiting the amount of sensitive data they keep on the device;
• using strong authentication tactics (passcodes, fingerprint sensors, facial scans, etc.);
• activating device-finder and remote factory reset protocols;
• keeping devices within close sight in public places;
• setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA) protocols for cloud accounts;
• and learning how to spot common social engineering scams.

While these practices can fend off many common cyber attacks, there are still other ways for threat actors to compromise systems. They could exploit device vulnerabilities, for example, or inject malicious code into legitimate programs. That means you’ll need software- and hardware-based countermeasures in addition to employee education.

Protect federal government data

FedRAMP compliance helps maintain high cybersecurity standards. While many cyber criminals are financially motivated, foreign nation-state-sponsored threat actors target critical infrastructure sectors and aim to destabilize Western democracies. To learn more, read the Lookout playbook How to Manage Risk at the Mobile Endpoint. In it, you’ll discover how tools like the Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security service can protect both your organization and your partners in the U.S. government.