How to Meet FedRAMP's Requirements for Container Vulnerability Scanning (2024)

FAQs

What are the requirements for FedRAMP database scanning? ›

FedRAMP requires three types of scanning: Infrastructure, Web App, and Database. Infrastructure is straight forward -- this is an authenticated scan of your hosts. Web app scanning is straightforward as well. Using a tool like accunetix to scan a URL or some web server / api.

Container scanning is the deployment of automated tools that compare the contents of each container to a database of known vulnerabilities. If they determine that a library or other dependency within a container image is subject to a known vulnerability, they will flag the image as insecure.

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.

FedRAMP Ready indicates that a Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) attests to a CSP's readiness for the authorization process, and that a Readiness Assessment Report (RAR) has been reviewed and approved by the FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO).

FedRAMP Compliance Requirements

Implement controls in accordance with FIPS 199 categorization. Have CSO assessed by a FedRAMP Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) Remediate findings. Develop Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)

There are two main reasons why Vulnerability Scanning is important: 1) it is required for compliance with requirements such as PCI, HIPAA, GLBA, or SOX or 2) to evaluate any vulnerabilities in your new or changing networks.

Container Security Challenges and Risk

Lack of visibility: While code runs faster and more efficiently with containers, activities inside the container are mostly invisible to security teams. Existing security tools don't monitor which containers are running, what they are running or flag network behavior.

With the right vulnerability scanners, companies can proactively identify gaps in their cybersecurity program. Here are three common types of vulnerability scans: Network-based, application, and cloud vulnerability scanners. Learn about their features, pros and cons, how they work, and when to use each type.

FedRAMP is a government-wide program that promotes the adoption of secure cloud services across the federal government by providing a standardized approach to security and risk assessment for cloud technologies and federal agencies.

How many security controls are in FedRAMP? ›

The security controls outlined in FedRAMP are based on NIST Special Publication 800-53, which provides standards and security requirements for information systems used by the federal government. Low-level systems have 125 controls, moderate-level systems have 325 controls, high-level systems 421 controls.

The main distinction is that FedRAMP Ready systems are not FedRAMP Authorized. In short, FedRAMP Ready systems must still undergo an authorization process, while FedRAMP Authorized systems have completed the process at least once already.

Given the number of CSPs pursuing FedRAMP ATO, it's common that a sponsoring agency and the FedRAMP PMO have a number of packages in their queue for review. Because of this and depending on the sponsoring agency, the completion of both reviews can take more than 10-12 weeks.

The process of achieving FedRAMP authorization can be tough. But it's in the best interest of everyone involved for cloud service providers to succeed once they start the authorization process. To help, FedRAMP interviewed several small businesses and start-ups about lessons learned during authorization.

The FedRAMP SAF is based on the NIST SP 800-37 risk management framework (RMF) for information systems and organizations, although it also includes some control enhancements relevant to cloud security that NIST 800-37 does not. FedRAMP simplifies the NIST RMF by creating four process areas: Document. Assess.

FedRAMP uses the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) guidelines and procedures to provide standardized security requirements for cloud services.

FedRAMP also categorizes covered entities across three security objectives: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The stored information is sufficiently guarded against modification.

The four main types of vulnerabilities in information security are network vulnerabilities, operating system vulnerabilities, process (or procedural) vulnerabilities, and human vulnerabilities.

The following are the foundational steps in the implementation of the vulnerability management plan: • Provide training. Conduct vulnerability assessment activities. Record discovered vulnerabilities. Categorize and prioritize vulnerabilities.

What are the 4 stages of identifying vulnerabilities? ›

Container Analysis provides two features for scanning your containers: on-demand scanning and automatic scanning.

When researching vulnerability scanners, it's important to find out how they're rated for accuracy (the most important metric) as well as reliability, scalability and reporting. If accuracy is lacking, you'll end up running two different scanners, hoping that one picks up vulnerabilities that the other misses.

Credentialed and non-Credentialed scans (also respectively referred to as authenticated and non-authenticated scans) are the two main categories of vulnerability scanning. Non-credentialed scans, as the name suggests, do not require credentials and do not get trusted access to the systems they are scanning.

Scanning containers for vulnerabilities usually involves a security tool that analyzes a container image layer by layer to detect potential security issues. Most scanning solutions leverage a database of known vulnerabilities so that organizations can stay up-to-date as the security threat landscape evolves.

Typically, image scanning works by parsing through the packages or other dependencies that are defined in a container image file, then checking to see whether there are any known vulnerabilities in those packages or dependencies.

FedRAMP REQUIREMENT:

Static code analysis provides a technology and methodology for security reviews. Such analysis can be used to identify security vulnerabilities and enforce security coding practices.

How does FedRAMP improve security? ›

FedRAMP has also improved cloud security by establishing a set of security controls that must be implemented by cloud service providers. These controls are based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53, which is a widely recognized and adopted cybersecurity framework.

NIST provides standards and guidelines around risk management, information security, and privacy controls for information systems used by the US Federal Government. FedRAMP uses the NIST guidelines in its own framework to enable US Government agencies to use cloud services securely and efficiently.

Effective security programs should incorporate a combination of administrative, technical, and physical controls to ensure comprehensive protection against potential threats.

FedRAMP impact levels

FedRamp categorizes Cloud Service Offering (CSO) into one of three impact levels: low, moderate, and high. The impact levels are based across three security objectives: confidentiality, integrity, and availability following the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199 standards.

National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®) is managed by the FedRAMP Program Management Office.

NIST SP 800-171 and FedRAMP

If your cloud service is an IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS and you're doing business with the federal government, you need to be FedRAMP Authorized regardless of the classification of data your systems/service facilitates.

Both FedRAMP and NIST SP 800-53 distribute controls into three categories: High, Moderate and Low. However, of the two, FedRAMP is more stringent and specific regarding controls.

While FedRAMP is designed for providers working with federal agencies, NIST 800-53 can be used as a framework for any industry, given its broad scope of security controls. NIST is considered the gold standard for all elements of compliance from manufacturing to the end user.

A CSO's FedRAMP Ready designation does expire and is only valid for one year, beginning on the date the CSO was listed as FedRAMP Ready on the FedRAMP Marketplace.

Typical FedRAMP Accreditation Costs

FedRAMP advisory services to develop the SSP, associated appendices, and review policies & procedures to ensure they meet Federal standards for a FedRAMP moderate system is in the $75,000 – $175,000 range.

Is FedRAMP only for cloud? ›

FedRAMP is mandatory for all cloud services sold to the Federal government.

FedRAMP states that a penetration test must be conducted by a 3PAO during the assessment process of a CSP. After this, it is mandatory to complete a penetration test annually.

To achieve the FedRAMP Ready designation, a CSP must work with an accredited Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) to complete a Readiness Assessment of its service offering. The Readiness Assessment Report (RAR) documents the CSP's capability to provide the JAB with a snapshot of a CSO's security posture.

For its part, Google Workspace complies with U.S. Federal Government and global standards for cloud security and privacy. For instance, Google Workspace maintains a FedRAMP HIGH authorization; is certified against ISO 27017, 27018, 27001; and is audited against the AICPA Service Organization Control (SOC) standards.

Database security requirements arise from the need to protect data: first, from accidental loss and corruption, and second, from deliberate unauthorized attempts to access or alter that data.

Database security must address and protect the following: The data in the database. The database management system (DBMS) Any associated applications.

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requires that federal agencies implement vulnerability management programs for federal information systems, so that's our correct answer.

Regardless of security policy goals, one cannot completely ignore any of the three major requirements—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—which support one another. For example, confidentiality is needed to protect passwords.

The CIA triad refers to an information security model made up of the three main components: confidentiality, integrity and availability. Each component represents a fundamental objective of information security.

What are the 5 database security levels? ›

Kelley and Moyle suggest four key criteria against which to evaluate cybersecurity goals: effectiveness, maturity, efficiency and alignment.

To protect databases against these types of threats, it is common to implement four kinds of control measures: access control, inference control, flow control, and encryption.

There are three main security features that organizations should consider when selecting the right security level for their database: authentication, encryption, and access control.

FISMA Differences. Though FedRAMP and FISMA are both built on the foundation of NIST 800-53, they have different objectives. FISMA offers guidelines to government agencies on how to ensure data is protected, while FedRAMP offers guidelines to agencies adopting cloud service providers on how to protect government data.

The frequency of vulnerability scanning depends on a few factors: organizational changes, compliance standards, and security program goals. If your organization is looking to maintain a high level of security, vulnerability scanning needs to be added to your information security program.

You should also ensure you have a target site owner's permission to carry out vulnerability scanning before commencing any such activity. Doing so without permission is illegal.

Authentication and authorization

Two processes are used to ensure only appropriate users can access enterprise data: authentication and authorization. Authentication involves users providing proof that they are who they claim to be.

Two types of privileges are important relating to database security within the database environment: system privileges and object privileges.

Authentication, Encryption, and Passwords

Authentication, encryption, and passwords are high on the list of critical importance when preventing data breaches.