4 Things to Consider When Choosing Your FedRAMP Consultant

For organizations seeking FedRAMP authorization, finding the right consultant is one of the most important decisions you can make.

While finding the right FedRAMP consultant may feel like finding a needle in a haystack, it doesn’t have to be.

Here are four crucial factors to consider as you begin the search for yours.

Depth of expertise

FedRAMP consultants assume a lot of responsibility when they take on a new client – and their involvement doesn’t guarantee authorization. Because of that, surveying a potential firm’s depth and range of expertise – not to mention a history of successful authorizations –  is crucial to ensure they’re able to meet your organization’s needs and have the bandwidth to attend to them fully. At RISCPoint, our leadership team takes a hands-on approach with every client we take on, and several of our team members are not only FedRAMP authorized but actively on the marketplace.

Communication

As part of the FedRAMP authorization process, a consultant will require extremely detailed information about your organization’s technical and administrative controls, as well as how they’re being protected. A good consultant should have excellent communication skills and be clear on what exactly they need from you, while successfully conveying why they need them. While this may be a new experience for your organization, at no point should you feel left in the dark.

Cost

Of course, cost plays an instrumental role in selecting a FedRAMP consultant. While being cost-effective is important, and it should be to your consultant as well, as the saying goes – you get what you pay for.

Cybersecurity as a whole is an investment, and FedRAMP authorization is no different. Basing your decision solely on price may sacrifice quality, which could end up costing more in the long run. The smallest misstep by a consultant could result in delays that prolong the process by weeks, if not months – wasting valuable dollars in the process.

Experience with the Program Management Office

A quality FedRAMP consultant will know the right questions to anticipate during the authorization assessment, especially if they have experience guiding organizations through the entire process. When interviewing potential candidates, ask if they have experience working with Federal Agencies on authorization sponsorships or FedRAMP’s Program Management Office (PMO), which is FedRAMP’s governing body. This acute expertise increases the likelihood that your authorization passes its assessment without any unexpected hurdles or delays.

At RISCPoint, we provide a personalized approach to guide organizations through the entire FedRAMP journey – from preparation to assessment and maintenance after authorization is achieved.

Interested in learning more about how we help clients navigate the path to FedRAMP authorization? Read more in our blog here, or get in touch with us below.