What FedRAMP Authorized Should Mean in eDiscovery

FedRAMP is a government authorization program made to boost cloud security.

In just one year, US citizens and entities will file over 400,000 lawsuits. Legal teams are busy, but letting network security fall by the wayside isn't an option for those who want to avoid fines and reputational damage.

It's important that eDiscovery legal teams can validate security posture and avoid compliance surprises during investigations and productions. FedRAMP authorization is a critical part of implementing those procedures.

Here, we'll clarify what "FedRAMP Authorized" does (and doesn't) mean for FedRAMP discovery and eDiscovery buyers. Read on to learn about authorization boundaries, the kinds of evidence procurement/IT may request, and common misconceptions.

What Does It Mean to Be a FedRAMP Authorized Discovery Platform?

FedRAMP authorized eDiscovery technology has undergone the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) certification process. This program standardizes security assessments for legal teams including law firms, corporate teams, and LSPs.

In addition to streamlining security procedures through better testing, FedRAMP-authorized software also undergoes continuous cloud monitoring. This makes it easier and more secure for legal experts to adopt secure cloud solutions.

All these protocols come from NIST SP 800-53 (Revision 5).

What Is FedRAMP Not? Defining a Negative

FedRAMP is not a certification for individual employees or organizations outside the federal government. It is a government-wide program specifically designed to standardize security assessment and authorization processes for cloud service providers.

Unless your legal team designs and uses its own eDiscovery software, you will not personally need to undergo the FedRAMP authorization process. This is a lengthy and complex procedure that is best avoided by working with a CSP that specializes in legal technology.

FedRAMP authorization is also not a guarantee of absolute security but a framework that ensures cloud services meet rigorous security standards. It does not eliminate all risks or replace other security measures an organization might have in place.

Scope and Boundaries

FedRAMP does not apply to non-cloud services or on-premises solutions, focusing solely on cloud-based offerings. Components of authorization boundaries include:

• All cloud networks processing, storing, or transmitting federal data
• Components that directly impact the security of the CSO
• Privileged security tooling and management
• Necessary authentication systems
• Metadata and data flows, both internal and extern

Any component that touches federal data must be inside of FedRAMP's scope. This includes external services that impact eDiscovery:

• Integrity
• Confidentiality
• Information Availability

Documentation requirements for FedRAMP authorization include:

• A system security plan that offers a detailed description of the boundary
• Data flow diagrams that show how eDiscovery data moves through systems
• Other visual aids

Why Is FedRAMP Important in eDiscovery?

FedRAMP is important in eDiscovery for several reasons, including:

• Ensuring that cloud-based data storage and management services used during the eDiscovery process meet strict security and compliance standards
• Protecting sensitive and confidential information
• Ensuring that unauthorized users can't access legal data
• Streamlined, secure storage of information needed for trial and litigations

With FedRAMP authorization, organizations can trust that the cloud provider has implemented robust security controls to safeguard data against breaches and unauthorized access. This is crucial when handling legal and regulatory investigations.

Additionally, FedRAMP compliance facilitates smoother legal proceedings by providing a recognized standard of security, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements and reducing legal risks associated with data security breaches during eDiscovery.

Is FedRAMP Authorization Mandatory?

FedRAMP authorization is not mandatory for all organizations, but it is required for cloud service providers (CSPs) that want to offer their services to U.S. federal agencies.

Federal agencies are mandated to use cloud services that have achieved FedRAMP authorization to ensure security and compliance. Therefore, if a cloud service provider aims to serve government clients, obtaining FedRAMP authorization is a crucial step. However, for non-federal clients or private sector organizations, it is not a legal requirement.

Reveal: FedRAMP Authorized eDiscovery Software to Rely On

Reveal's suite of AI-powered products come FedRAMP-authorized. You won't need to worry about undergoing a lengthy and expensive authorization process on your own.

Our cloud-based software has several different use cases including legal holds and litigation. However, eDiscovery is one of the most important. Our technology enhances every stage of the eDiscovery process, including:

• Identifying relevant data for eDiscovery
• Collecting that information
• Processing data
• Naturalizing data formats and storage methods
• Analyzing the most relevant information
• Using generative AI to visualize data with charts and heatmaps

We also offer Reveal Private Deployment (RPD), which operates in tandem with private cloud servers and on-premise networks. Hybrid networks also connect well with this effective and all-encompassing option.

This makes for a more efficient and streamlined end-to-end process with minimal opportunities for error. Case timelines are shorter and you will always be able to comply with timelines outlined in FOIA requests and subpoena orders.

AI for Everyone

FedRAMP also applies to legal AI. Legal professionals undergo the Rev 5 Agency Authorization process, which is a three-step process initially involving a readiness assessment and pre-authorization. Continuous monitoring lets legal experts keep their authorization in the long-term.

Reveal's FedRAMP-authorized AI has several benefits. It pulls information into an all-in-one dashboard and integrates naturalized data. Auto-tagging and filtering make searching for relevant information easier... and you don't need to navigate multiple applications.

You can also expect:

• Automatic highlighting of the most relevant information
• Audio and video transcription
• Data consolidation
• Formatting unstructured data
• Eliminating duplicate data

Security is also better because there are fewer endpoints for legal teams to manage when working with our eDiscovery as a service software.

Streamline Evidence Management ASAP

Now that you know the ins and outs of FedRAMP authorization in eDiscovery processes, it's time to learn more about data security standards. Reveal's AI-powered tool is made to help legal professionals refine and present their stories by drawing data into powerful narratives.

We're committed to flexibility, so we offer SaaS packages for your preferred cloud environment. Teams can also install Reveal directly into their data centers or opt for air-gapped solutions that increase security.

Our team is excited to show you how we can boost your eDiscovery efficiency. Schedule a demo to learn more about how we can help you determine what information to preserve and form factual arguments based on real data!