FISMA vs FedRAMP: Who Each Applies To

Who FISMA Applies To

• Federal agencies and their information systems
• Contractors operating systems on behalf of agencies (via contractual flow-down)
• Risk management using NIST frameworks (including SP 800-53 controls)

Who FedRAMP Applies To

• Cloud service providers selling to US federal agencies
• SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS offerings that process federal data in the cloud
• Packages assessed by accredited 3PAOs against FedRAMP baselines

Where They Overlap

Both lean on NIST SP 800-53. FedRAMP standardizes cloud assessment and ConMon so agencies do not reinvent cloud ATOs. An agency system can be FISMA-authorized without the product being FedRAMP authorized — and a FedRAMP-authorized CSP still sits inside agency FISMA responsibilities for use and oversight.

How CyberSilo Helps

• Evidence workflows for SSP, POA&M, and control status via Compliance Standards Automation
• ThreatHawk SIEM for AU-family logging, ConMon telemetry, and investigation evidence
• Advisory scoping for readiness, baseline selection, and agency-path planning — contact CyberSilo

Frequently Asked Questions

Does FedRAMP replace FISMA for agencies?

No. FedRAMP helps agencies consume cloud securely; agencies still have FISMA obligations for their enterprise and use of cloud.

If we are a SaaS vendor, do we “do FISMA”?

You typically pursue FedRAMP (or agency cloud ATO processes). FISMA language may appear in contracts; map obligations carefully.

Same controls?

Shared NIST DNA, different programmes, packages, and authorizing officials.

Related FedRAMP Resources

FISMA · FedRAMP · vs SOC 2 / ISO · Automation programmes