Inside FedRAMP for Legal AI: What It Takes to Earn (and Keep) Authorization

Nextwork reports that 96% of companies use cloud computing as of 2025. This large figure means that cloud security is a priority for most companies, but those who work with sensitive legal information may face some additional requirements.

That's where FedRAMP authorization comes into play.

If you work for legal and compliance teams, there are several standards that you must know when using AI-powered cloud eDiscovery technologies. Read on to learn about the security and process hurdles required for FedRAMP approval.

The Basics of FedRAMP

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is critical for cloud data security. This government initiative standardizes the process of assessing security measures to ensure that private, sensitive data is kept safe on cloud servers. In short, it's a risk assessment framework for federal agencies.

FedRAMP authorization is not optional. Those who work with unclassified information on cloud systems need to use FedRAMP-authorized cloud services.

There are three risk levels:

• Low risk for those with the least sensitive data that still requires standardized security
• Moderate risk for those who hold secure information
• High risk for entities that hold extremely sensitive information that requires maximum protection

If you're a corporate legal executive or LSP, people may request legal holds on records that you have on file. You may also need to find and label data so that you can review it for your own future litigations or criminal cases. Those in public records roles may also receive Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests that force them to store, review, and send out relevant information.

To comply with FedRAMP, these professionals must:

• Obtain authorization for all cloud service offerings they use
• Know the risk level of the information they're working with
• Comply with the security framework outlined in NIST SP 800-53
• Constantly monitor security controls
• Address vulnerabilities as they arise

Artificial Intelligence and FedRAMP Compliance

2025 data from Exploding Topics notes that 90% of companies are either currently using or exploring the use of AI. The popularity of these AI systems is only growing, and why wouldn't it? Leveraging AI in eDiscovery processes has several benefits, including:

• An all-in-one integrated dashboard for easy information access
• Heightened security due to fewer endpoints, creating fewer vulnerabilities for hackers and malware to exploit
• Automatic tagging for documents to make them easy to search
• Accurate tags due to machine learning models
• The ability to search for keywords and get relevant results instantly
• Automatic highlighting of important, relevant sections
• The ability to summarize long documents with GenAI, making the review process easier and quicker
• Transcriptions of audio and video files
• Consolidating and formatting unstructured data
• Getting rid of duplicate documents
• Data visualization features like clusters and charts
• A single location from which eDiscovery teams can securely share information with those who made FOIA requests

However, AI does bring some changes to FedRAMP data compliance standards.

This is because quality AI-powered eDiscovery software gives some governance of sensitive data to secure artificial intelligence. Agencies that use these technologies need to feel confident that they are deploying them responsibly.

This means that FedRAMP requires authorization at the Moderate or High risk levels for those who leverage AI. Government regulations aim to foster trust in AI and its systems and processes. Authorization ensures that AI systems will comply with pre-existing security standards.

The FedRAMP Authorization Process

FedRAMP eDiscovery compliance requires legal professionals to undergo the traditional agency authorization process.

Recently, FedRAMP has created an Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework. This streamlines the ability to include technologies in authorization processes, such as generative AI eDiscovery software. Under this framework, certification prioritizes:

• Code generators
• Chat interfaces
• Connectors and APIs for integrating applications

Rev 5 Agency Authorization is the only way to secure authorization. This three-step process puts you on a six-month to 18-month path to certification.

1. Preparation

Most FedRAMP authorization steps are mandatory, but the readiness assessment of the Preparation stage is optional. This assessment documents the cloud service provider's (CSP's) ability to meet FedRAMP requirements. The CSP completes this in conjunction with a third-party assessment organization.

The pre-authorization stage that comes after this is mandatory. It involves:

• Establishing partnerships
• Planning authorization
• Meeting with certification professionals

During these steps, your FedRAMP certification is in progress.

2. Authorization

To get authorized, CSPs take a full security assessment.

Once they pass, the agency authorization process begins. It includes:

• Security Authorization Package review
• SAR Debriefing
• Remediation
• Final review from the agency
• Agency Issues ATO
• PMO review for FedRAMP

Certification is then complete. The CSP is FedRAMP authorized.

3. Continuous Monitoring

Authorized CSPs still must:

• Monitor deliverables consistently
• Keep tabs on all applications
• Pass annual assessments

This allows them to retain authorization.

Using FedRAMP-Authorized Technologies

However, the best way to ensure FedRAMP compliance is to work with AI-driven cloud computing technologies that have already gained this authorization. While building your own platforms may sound tempting for the sake of customization, it is a poor choice. Your system won't just be unauthorized; it will be extremely insecure.

Luckily, working with Reveal's team means the customizability you crave with a scalable, user-friendly AI platform. Our CSPs have already undergone the FedRAMP authorization process for our technologies, so you don't have to.

Our end-to-end platform helps with:

• Data production
• Processing information
• Interactive visual analytics generation
• Concept search functions
• Data normalization, including OCR and transcription
• Predictive scores for document review
• Faster review with our AI Model Library's pre-designed review models
• Configurable, customizable AI models

Basically, you can access AI-assisted review services for your eDiscovery documents when you utilize our certified software. You'll benefit from:

• Dynamic search capabilities
• Easy prioritization of documents based on what you previously flag as important
• Seamlessly connected technology for visual data
• Generative AI-created text that summarizes hard-to-read information in long files

Since Security Compass estimates that FedRAMP certification can cost between $150,000 and $2 million, investing in our pre-constructed, pre-certified technology is a no-brainer.

Adopt a Secure Infrastructure for eDiscovery Software

Now that you know the basics of FedRAMP authorization, it's time to supercharge your organization with secure investigations software.

AI security standards are critical for secure and ethical eDiscovery processes, and the FedRAMP certification process ensures legal AI compliance.

We're excited to show you what we're capable of, so get in touch to schedule a demo of our services ASAP!