FedRAMP Vendor Security Assessment Template

You're staring at another vendor security assessment request. The cloud provider claims they're "FedRAMP ready" but provides zero documentation. Your CISO wants assurance they meet federal standards. Your procurement team needs approval by Friday.

The FedRAMP Vendor Security Assessment Template solves this exact problem. It translates the 400+ pages of FedRAMP requirements into actionable DDQ questions with specific evidence requests. Instead of generic "Do you encrypt data?" queries, you get control-specific questions like "Provide evidence of FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for data at rest (SC-13)."

This template transforms FedRAMP compliance from a documentation maze into a systematic evidence collection process. Each section maps to specific NIST controls, tells vendors exactly what artifacts to provide, and includes scoring criteria for control effectiveness.

What Makes This Template Different

Traditional vendor assessments ask broad questions. FedRAMP assessments demand precision. The template structures queries around the Authorization Boundary, requiring vendors to document:

• System components within scope
• Data flow diagrams showing interconnections
• Shared responsibility matrices for each control
• Continuous monitoring procedures

Each control includes three assessment components:

1. Implementation Status - Is the control in place?
2. Evidence Requirements - What documentation proves it?
3. Validation Methods - How do you verify effectiveness?

Core Template Sections

Access Control (AC) Family

27 controls covering identity management, privilege restrictions, and session handling. Key evidence requests include:

• SAML/OAuth configuration screenshots
• Privileged access management (PAM) policies
• Session timeout settings
• Account provisioning/deprovisioning procedures

Audit and Accountability (AU) Family

16 controls focused on logging, monitoring, and retention. Vendors must provide:

• Log retention matrices showing 12+ month storage
• SIEM integration documentation
• Audit reduction and report generation tools
• Time synchronization evidence (NTP configurations)

System and Communications Protection (SC) Family

44 controls addressing encryption, network security, and data protection:

• Cryptographic module validation certificates
• Network segmentation diagrams
• DLP policy configurations
• Mobile code restriction evidence

Incident Response (IR) Family

10 controls requiring documented procedures and testing evidence:

• Incident response runbooks
• Forensic capability demonstrations
• Chain of custody procedures
• Post-incident review reports

Industry-Specific Applications

Financial Services

Banks and fintech companies use FedRAMP assessments for cloud providers handling PII and transaction data. The template's AU controls align with FFIEC guidance on audit trails. SC controls map to PCI DSS encryption requirements.

Common additions for financial services:

• Data residency verification (storing data in specific regions)
• Regulatory reporting capabilities
• Transaction monitoring integration points

Healthcare Organizations

HIPAA-covered entities find FedRAMP's administrative, physical, and technical safeguards exceed HIPAA Security Rule requirements. The template's encryption controls (SC-8, SC-13) directly support HIPAA §164.312(a)(2)(iv).

Healthcare-specific considerations:

• BAA execution confirmation
• PHI data flow documentation
• Backup and disaster recovery testing evidence

Technology Companies

SaaS providers building on IaaS/PaaS platforms use the template to assess their own supply chain. The shared responsibility model becomes critical—understanding which controls the vendor implements versus what you inherit.

Tech sector focus areas:

• API security controls
• Multi-tenancy isolation evidence
• DevSecOps pipeline documentation

Compliance Framework Alignment

SOC 2 Crosswalk

FedRAMP controls map to SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria:

• AC controls → CC6.1-CC6.8 (Logical Access)
• SC controls → CC6.6-CC6.7 (System Operations)
• IR controls → CC7.3-CC7.5 (Risk Mitigation)

ISO 27001 Mapping

Direct alignment between FedRAMP families and ISO Annex A controls:

• Access Control → A.9 Access Control
• Cryptography → A.10 Cryptography
• Incident Management → A.16 Information Security Incident Management

GDPR Considerations

FedRAMP's privacy controls (Appendix J) address GDPR Article 32 requirements:

• Encryption of personal data (SC-13)
• Regular testing of security measures (CA-2, CA-7)
• Ability to restore availability (CP family)

Implementation Best Practices

1. Pre-Assessment Scoping

Before sending the template:

• Identify which FedRAMP baseline applies (Low/Moderate/High)
• Document data types the vendor will process
• Map your controls to theirs using the CRM (Customer Responsibility Matrix)

2. Evidence Collection Strategy

Structure evidence requests by control family, not by asking for everything upfront:

• Week 1: Access Control and Audit families
• Week 2: System Protection and Incident Response
• Week 3: Remaining families and gap remediation

3. Risk Tiering Integration

Align FedRAMP baselines with your vendor risk tiers:

• Critical vendors → FedRAMP High baseline
• High-risk vendors → FedRAMP Moderate baseline
• Medium/Low risk → FedRAMP Low baseline or subset

4. Continuous Monitoring Setup

Post-assessment, establish ongoing validation:

• Quarterly control sampling (10-15 controls)
• Annual full reassessment
• ConMon report reviews (monthly from vendor)

Common Implementation Mistakes

Accepting FedRAMP "Equivalent" Claims

Vendors often claim "equivalent to FedRAMP" without formal authorization. Demand:

• Specific control implementation evidence
• Third-party assessment reports
• Actual FedRAMP PMO acknowledgment letters

Ignoring Shared Responsibilities

The template assumes full vendor implementation. You must:

• Document which controls you inherit
• Validate your implementation of customer responsibilities
• Maintain evidence of your control effectiveness

Over-Scoping Assessment Requirements

Not every vendor needs all 325+ controls assessed. Focus on:

• Controls relevant to services used
• Data types actually processed
• Your industry's regulatory requirements

Treating Assessment as One-Time

FedRAMP requires continuous monitoring. Your vendor assessments should include:

• Ongoing vulnerability scan results
• Monthly POA&M updates
• Annual penetration test reports

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical FedRAMP vendor assessment take using this template?

Initial assessments run 4-6 weeks: 2 weeks for vendor response, 2 weeks for evidence review, 1-2 weeks for clarifications and remediation planning.

Can I use this template for non-federal vendors?

Yes. The NIST 800-53 controls provide comprehensive security coverage applicable to any cloud service provider, especially those handling sensitive data.

What's the difference between FedRAMP Low, Moderate, and High baselines?

Low = 125 controls for low-impact data. Moderate = 325 controls for moderate-impact PII and sensitive data. High = 421 controls for high-impact systems like law enforcement data.

Should I require actual FedRAMP authorization or just use the controls?

Depends on your risk tolerance. Actual authorization provides third-party validation but limits vendor options. Using controls without requiring authorization gives flexibility while maintaining security standards.

How do I score vendor responses?

Use a 4-point scale: Fully Implemented (control in place with evidence), Partially Implemented (control exists but gaps noted), Planned (roadmap provided), Not Implemented (no control or timeline).

What evidence format should I request?

Request PDFs for policies, screenshots for configurations, logs in CSV/JSON format, and architectural diagrams in standard formats (Visio, draw.io). Avoid proprietary formats requiring special software.

How often should I reassess vendors using this template?

Critical vendors: annually with quarterly check-ins. High-risk vendors: every 18 months. Medium/low risk: every 2-3 years or upon significant changes.