Hootsuite has received FedRAMP designation, securing the ability to operate under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program. But what does that mean exactly and what does it mean from the general Hootsuite user’s point of view? Well, let’s start with what the Federal Risk and Authorization program is— or FedRAMP, as it is commonly known, is. 

Established in 2011, it was started to help provide a cost-effective and risk-based approach on adopting cloud services by the US federal government. FedRAMP designation is a standard that not only requires agencies to update and use modern cloud services and technologies but they must also adopt standards that emphasize security and protection. Essentially, it is a government-wide program that provides a standard to follow regarding security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. 

FedRAMP consists of two primary entities: The Joint Authorization Board (also known as JAB) and the Program Management Office (PMO). Members of both groups include the chief information officers from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration.

In the FedRAMP process, Hootsuite  worked closely with the US Department of the Interior (DOI) who sponsored the company through the designation process and issued an ATO letter in accordance. 

So what does that mean for us?

We use Hootsuite to enable our voices and the voices of our clients on multiple digital platforms, from Twitter to Facebook, to Instagram to LinkedIn. By using Hootsuite, who is now following FedRAMP standard, we also benefit from that standard and compliance. It tells us there is a high standard when it comes to keeping those voices secure. In keeping up with those standards, there will have to be developments in both the service but also in the technology used to keep the service running up to those standards. Standards we will definitely take advantage of. It is a compliance to keeping data and general information to a higher security standard, one backed by the US government.  

A higher standard, especially whose aspects are heavily reliant on security and adapting latest technology is a great standard to live by.  This is a standard all modern business should strive for and having a check on those standards can be a good thing, especially when it comes to ever-evolving technology, especially technology that involves the sharing of information, whether it is to inform about product, company or US agencies and the services they provide.