VMware : Announcing FedRAMP High Agency Authorization for VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud(US)

VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) has reached FedRAMP Authority to Operate at the High Impact Level. The service brings VMware's rich SDDC software to the AWS GovCloud (US) region, allowing US government agencies to securely run applications across vSphere®-based environments with optimized access to native AWS services.

We are excited to announce that VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud(US) service has achieved Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) High impact level agency authorization. This service operates in the AWS GovCloud (US-West) region. FedRAMP is a mandatory US government-wide program that provides a standardized approach and baseline requirements for security assessment, authorization, and monitoring for cloud products. VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) can run highly sensitive government workloads with the hardened security and production-grade capabilities that government agencies require.

Why is FedRAMP Authorization important to our clients?

Hear the answer from Lynn Martin, Vice President of Government, Education, and Healthcare at VMware, and Sandy Carter, Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector Partners and Programs at AWS, who explain why VMware and AWS have partnered together to deliver a deeply integrated hybrid cloud that meets the demanding security requirements of our U.S. public sector customers.

Meeting the comprehensive requirements of the FedRAMP High impact level standard makes it easier for more federal and state agencies to use VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) and benefit from the higher security and lower cost of the FedRAMP program. Because FedRAMP requirements include additional controls above the standard National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) baseline controls in NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4, these additional controls address the unique elements of cloud computing to ensure that data is secure in cloud environments. It also provides increased real-time security, visibility and continuous real-time monitoring across different cloud systems (vulnerability scanning reports for OS, database, and web application). When it comes to cost, FedRAMP provides a standardized, "do once, use many times" framework for vetting the security of cloud services that helps government agencies save time, resources, and costs when assessing security and risk. FedRAMP certification enables the federal and state government to accelerate the adoption of cloud computing by creating transparent standards and processes for security authorizations and allowing agencies to leverage security authorizations on a government-wide scale.[1]

What does VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) offer to US government agencies? Why is it a better option than other offerings?

Hear the answer from Matt Dreyer, Director of Product Management for Cloud Services at VMware, who explains the technology behind VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) and the unique value it delivers to U.S. government agencies.

VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) is a secure hybrid cloud service that brings VMware's rich Software-Defined Data Center software to the AWS GovCloud (US-West) Region. It enables US government agencies to securely run production applications across vSphere®-based hybrid cloud environments, with optimized access to AWS services. Because of the joint engineering efforts between VMware and AWS, our on-demand, scalable service enables IT teams to seamlessly extend, migrate, protect, and manage their cloud-based resources with familiar VMware tools. With the same architecture and operational experience on-premises and in the cloud, IT teams can deliver a higher level of service by increasing the speed of response to changing organizational needs with lower upfront cost.

If you are interested in VMware Cloud on AWS GovCloud (US) service, please contact your VMware sales representative.

Learning Resources:

[1] https://www.fedramp.gov/faqs/