the_information_nexus/work/tbx/FedRAMP.md

1. Introduction to FedRAMP

1.1 What is FedRAMP?

• Definition: The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (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 assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring.
• Objective: Ensure all federal data is securely stored, processed, and transmitted in cloud environments.

1.2 FedRAMP Impact Levels

• Low, Moderate, High: Each level represents the potential impact on organizational operations, assets, or individuals should there be a breach of confidentiality, integrity, or availability.
• Control Sets: Tailored from NIST SP 800-53, specifying required security controls for each impact level.

2. Understanding FedRAMP's Technical Requirements

2.1 Security Assessment Framework

• Overview: A structured process to ensure cloud services meet FedRAMP requirements, including security assessments, authorization, and continuous monitoring.

2.2 Cloud Service Models

• IaaS, PaaS, SaaS: Different models with unique requirements under FedRAMP. Meraki primarily falls under SaaS and partially IaaS/PaaS for its cloud management capabilities.

2.3 Control Baselines

• Detailing Controls: Each baseline (Low, Moderate, High) requires a set of controls. For example, the Moderate baseline requires over 300 controls, including access control, incident response, and encryption standards.

3. Cisco Meraki and FedRAMP Compliance

3.1 Overview of Cisco Meraki

• Product Portfolio: Introduce Meraki MX (firewalls), MS (switches), MR (wireless APs), and MV (security cameras), focusing on their cloud-managed nature.
• Compliance and Security Features: Encryption, multi-factor authentication, access controls, and automated threat detection.

3.2 Meraki for Different FedRAMP Impact Levels

• Low Impact Level: Entry-level MX firewalls for basic security; MR wireless access points for public Wi-Fi access with basic access control.
• Moderate Impact Level: Higher-end MX firewalls with advanced malware protection; MS switches for secure data handling and segmentation; comprehensive device management through Meraki Systems Manager.
• High Impact Level: Top-tier MX appliances with intrusion detection/prevention, content filtering, and high availability configurations; MR access points with enhanced security for sensitive environments; MV cameras for physical security monitoring.

3.2 Meraki Features for FedRAMP Compliance

• Layer 7 Firewall Rules: Meraki MX appliances support application-aware firewall rules, helping meet access control requirements by filtering traffic based on application type and behavior.
• VLAN Tagging: Meraki MS switches enable network segmentation through VLAN tagging, isolating sensitive data and limiting access to authorized users, aligning with FedRAMP's access control and data protection requirements.
• Client Visibility: Meraki's client visibility features, such as device fingerprinting and traffic analytics, provide detailed insights into network activity, aiding in monitoring and incident response efforts, as required by FedRAMP.

4. Building a FedRAMP-Compliant BoM with Meraki

4.1 SKU Selection for Low Impact Level

• Criteria: Focus on basic security and reliability. Suitable SKUs include entry-level MX models and MR series access points for managed Wi-Fi environments.

4.2 SKU Selection for Moderate Impact Level

• Criteria: Enhanced security features like IPS, advanced malware protection, and secure, segmented network access. Recommended SKUs encompass mid to high-range MX appliances, MS series switches for network segmentation, and MR series for secure wireless access.

4.3 SKU Selection for High Impact Level

• Criteria: Highest security demands requiring redundancy, failover, and segmentation capabilities. Select top-range MX models, MR access points with all available security features enabled, and MV smart cameras for surveillance.

5. Design and Implementation Considerations

5.1 Network Design

• Architecture: Importance of network segmentation, secure remote access, and the principle of least privilege.
• SD-WAN and Zero Trust: Leveraging Meraki MX for SD-WAN capabilities to securely connect sites and implementing a zero-trust approach within the network architecture.

5.2 Deployment and Management

• Cloud Management: Utilizing Meraki’s cloud-based management console for configuration, monitoring, and reporting to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Security Configuration: Best practices for configuring security settings across Meraki devices, including firewall rules, SSID configurations, and access policies.

6.1 Patch Management

• Automatic Updates: Meraki devices automatically download and install the latest security patches and firmware updates, ensuring systems remain up-to-date and compliant with FedRAMP requirements.
• Scheduling and Control: Administrators can schedule updates during maintenance windows and control the update process through the Meraki dashboard, minimizing disruptions to network operations.

6.2 Vulnerability Scanning

• Integrated Scanning Tools: Meraki MX appliances include built-in vulnerability scanning capabilities, helping identify potential security risks and maintain compliance with FedRAMP's continuous monitoring requirements.
• Third-Party Integration: Meraki's API allows integration with third-party vulnerability scanning tools, enabling comprehensive network security assessments and reporting.

6.3 Incident Response

• Alert Configuration: The Meraki platform allows administrators to configure custom alerts for security events, ensuring prompt notification and response to potential incidents, as required by FedRAMP.
• Detailed Logging: Meraki devices generate detailed logs of network activity, providing valuable information for incident investigation and reporting, aligning with FedRAMP's incident response and reporting requirements.

7. Conclusion

• Recap: Highlighting the critical role of understanding FedRAMP requirements and Meraki’s offerings in creating secure and compliant networking solutions for federal agencies.
• Further Resources: Direction to Meraki documentation, FedRAMP templates, and Cisco support for deep dives into specific configurations and compliance questions.