Officials unveil new FedRAMP Web portal, release details on firms seeking government’s cloud security seal of approval.

FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program), this system that helps agencies migrate to the cloud securely, is making public the names of cloud service providers which are within the technique of obtaining the government’s security certification.

The information appears in a brand new FedRAMP resource section at the Federal CIO Council’s cloud.cio.gov site. FedRAMP.gov visitors were redirected to the location beginning last week. The brand new site provides a number of materials that agencies and cloud providers ought to meet FedRAMP requirements.

The new FedRAMP site identifies, among other information, 10 previously undisclosed ”cloud systems in process” seeking FedRAMP certification for brand spanking new or additional cloud infrastructure, platform, and software services. The location provides details at the services under review from CenturyLink Technology Solutions, Clear Government Solutions (CGS), Economic Systems, Fiberlink (a unit of IBM), Hewlett-Packard, Layered Tech Government Solutions, Microsoft, Oracle, SecureKey Technologies, and Virtustream. CA Technologies is also reportedly seeking FedRAMP certification.

FedRAMP has already certified 14 cloud services from 12 providers, including an Oracle PaaS offering approved on Feb. 24.

[Get the whole download on FedRAMP. Read Q&A: FedRAMP Director Discusses Cloud Security Innovation.]

The CIO Council cloud portal pulls together reference documents for agencies, cloud service providers, and third-party assessment organizations from FedRAMP’s existing website. That site is administered by the final Services Administration, which manages the FedRAMP program. The guidelines can also be integrated around the Cloud.cio.gov site, which specializes in users’ wish to ”learn about, use, acquire, manage and secure” cloud services.

The new site has more forums and FAQs, in line with Maria Roat, FedRAMP director at GSA. The GSA will continue to maintain its version of the FedRAMP site active, she explained, because many documents in the market reference the GSA website.

Agencies are under White House pressure to adopt cloud computing services and feature them FedRAMP-certified by June 5, 2014. The program’s security standards have attracted interest from cloud providers, but as FedRAMP officials acknowledge, they’re looking to expand the offering of approved services.

FedRAMP officials have also announced plans to partner with the general public-private group MeriTalk that allows you to widen FedRAMP’s visibility in the federal IT market with the launch of the FedRAMP OnRamp.

The promotional site, because of go live March 13, promises to present additional information about where companies are within the application process. It also plans to report on what agencies can save using FedRAMP-certified cloud services rather than building and certifying their very own systems.

Based on preliminary reports from six FedRAMP-certified cloud providers and knowledge on 210 cloud installations, MeriTalk estimates that FedRAMP has saved the federal government $52.5 million because the program began operating in 2012. It also found the govt spent a normal of $250,000 to bring each cloud service into full FedRAMP compliance.

Private clouds are moving rapidly from concept to production. But some fears about expertise and integration still linger. Also inside the Private Clouds Step Up issue of InformationWeek: The general public cloud and the steam engine have more in common than you possibly can think. (Free registration required.)/p>

Wyatt Kash is Editor of InformationWeek Government. He was covering government IT and technology trends since 2004. He served as Editor-in-Chief of presidency Computer News and Defense Systems (owned by The Washington Post Co. and subsequently 1105 Media), where he … View Full Bio

More Insights