Fleets are shifting gears toward cloud-based FMIS and vehicle-sharing platforms, fueled by the promise of convenience and efficiency. But every fast lane has its hazards. Cybersecurity gaps or compliance breakdowns can throw operations off course, expose sensitive data and derail public trust. The difference between a smooth ride and a costly breakdown often comes down to one thing: choosing the right vendor to steer the journey.
That’s why we’ve created “5 Essential Questions Every Agency Should Ask Before Selecting A Cloud Provider.” This guide will help you identify security and compliance red flags early, evaluate vendors with confidence, choose technology that supports long-term success, and lay the foundation for a smoother path to FedRAMP/GovRAMP authorization.
Currently, you probably have vendors fill out a questionnaire to assess their security posture. This written document probes for details, asking questions like: What data does the system hold? How is it secured, managed and maintained? How does the data travel? Who does it connect with?
Navigating the authorization process this way can be slow and complicated. But it doesn’t have to be.
FedRAMP clears the roadblocks. By choosing a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based solution, you get a system that takes a standardized approach to risk assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring. FedRAMP-authorized tools minimize your risk of data exposure by protecting your data to the highest cybersecurity standards.
FedRAMP-authorized tools meet government standards for:
PRO TIP: Protect your fleet from the beginning by specifying FedRAMP/GovRAMP in your RFPs.
The advantages of choosing a vendor with existing FedRAMP and GovRAMP authorization are clear. It streamlines vendor selection by confirming the vendor meets strict cybersecurity compliance.
Did you know your fleet can also benefit by getting FedRAMP and GovRAMP authorization? Fleets using cloud-based tools should pursue FedRAMP and, where applicable, GovRAMP authorization. Doing so adds an extra layer of security to protect your fleet data.
PRO TIP: Partner with a provider that already holds FedRAMP authorization, such as Agile Fleet, to simplify and accelerate FedRAMP/GovRAMP authorization.
FedRAMP guarantees a well-defined and TESTED incident response plan that is consistently improved and enforced.
FedRAMP is built on the NIST 800-53 framework, which requires a formal incident response policy and procedures guided by a set of incident response controls. These controls include defining roles and responsibilities for incident management, training staff on proper response protocols, and setting up internal and external communication plans.
Authorization also requires regular incident response testing, including tabletop exercises and simulated attacks, to ensure the plan works as intended.
FedRAMP standards also require continuous monitoring to enable your fleet to detect, log, analyze, and report incidents to the Joint Authorization Board in near real time.
A Third Party Assessment Organization must perform all FedRAMP assessments. The 3PAO reviews incident response documentation, tests evidence, confirms staff training and readiness, and looks for gaps in your policies and procedures that you must correct.
In addition, FedRAMP authorization requires you to keep your plan up to date, train new team members and provide proof of after-action reports when an incident occurs.
PRO TIP: Make sure your FedRAMP vendors have a documented process for detecting, reporting and responding to security events.
FedRAMP makes sure integrations are locked down and secure. Providers must show that their APIs are safe, their vendors are carefully vetted, and any third-party risks are monitored continuously.
For fleets, this means you need to know and track every external service, API and third-party tool that touches your data. Working with a vendor that already does this adds an extra layer of protection.
Here’s what is needed for fleet FedRAMP authorization:
PRO TIP: Focus on fleet operations, not data breaches, by improving cybersecurity with FedRAMP authorization.
The right vendor can guide your fleet through FedRAMP and GOVRAMP authorization; provided they’ve earned the authorization themselves. They can also help you stay compliant long after you receive FedRAMP authorization for your fleet.
Security isn’t a onetime event. It requires ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement. A FedRAMP provider actively tracks its security posture, strengthens software when vulnerabilities arise, and helps your fleet do the same.
A trusted partner with FedRAMP authorization also delivers continuous compliance support, thorough documentation and shares responsibility when an incident occurs.
PRO TIP: Use a FedRAMP or GovRAMP authorized provider to ensure continuous security monitoring and cybersecurity upgrades.
In today’s cyberthreat landscape, the stakes are too high to take a wrong turn with unverified vendors. Asking the right questions is your first line of defense.
Asking these 5 questions will guide you to a vendor with robust cybersecurity protocols in place. Partnering with a FedRAMP- or GovRAMP-authorized provider keeps your agency in a fast lane of security compliance.
Once that vendor is on board, you are ready for the final step. Get your fleet FedRAMP- and GovRAMP-authorized to ensure your cybersecurity is fully up to standard and mission-ready.
For a full roadmap to secure cloud-based tool adoption and FedRAMP/GovRAMP authorization, dive into our whitepaper: RAMPing Up Security: A Roadmap for Agencies Adopting FMIS and Vehicle Sharing Technologies.