Thank you. An expert will get in touch shortly 
Thank you
Our team of industry domain experts combined with our guaranteed SLAs, our world class technology .
NEWS
Get Immediate Help
In today’s cloud-driven world, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance are top priorities for organisations working with government agencies. If your organisation is considering FedRAMP compliance, understanding the difference between FedRAMP Moderate and FedRAMP High is critical. Choosing the right baseline can impact security measures, data protection levels, and your ability to work with federal clients.
This guide will break down the differences between FedRAMP Moderate and High, helping you determine the best fit for your organisation’s security and compliance needs.
FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a US government framework that standardises security for cloud services. It ensures that cloud service providers (CSPs) meet strict security requirements before handling federal data. The program is based on FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) and NIST 800-53 security controls, ensuring that government data remains protected from cyber threats.
There are three main impact levels in FedRAMP compliance:
FedRAMP Low – Suitable for non-sensitive, publicly available data
FedRAMP Moderate – Designed for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with a moderate risk impact
FedRAMP High – Required for the most sensitive federal data with a high risk impact
Since most government contractors and service providers operate under either Moderate or High impact levels, understanding these distinctions is essential.
The primary difference between FedRAMP Moderate and High lies in the level of security controls required, the sensitivity of the data involved, and the impact of a potential breach.
1. FedRAMP Moderate
FedRAMP Moderate is the most commonly required security baseline, covering Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and data where a compromise could cause a moderate impact on government operations, assets, or individuals.
Key Features:
Requires 325 security controls based on NIST 800-53 Rev. 5
Covers CUI, financial, and law enforcement data
Moderate impact if compromised (e.g., financial loss, legal exposure)
Mandatory for government contractors and cloud providers working with federal agencies
Continuous monitoring and regular Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) audits
Who Needs FedRAMP Moderate?
Organisations that handle federal agency contracts, state and local government contracts, or controlled data typically require FedRAMP Moderate certification. Examples include:
SaaS and cloud service providers handling federal contracts
Government subcontractors managing CUI
Financial services companies working with federal agencies
Law enforcement data storage and processing providers
2. FedRAMP High
FedRAMP High is for systems handling highly sensitive federal data, such as law enforcement, emergency response, intelligence, or healthcare records. A security breach at this level could have severe or catastrophic consequences, impacting national security, public safety, or critical infrastructure.
Key Features:
Requires 421 security controls – the highest level in FedRAMP
Covers classified law enforcement data, healthcare, and emergency response systems
High impact if compromised (e.g., national security risks, loss of life)
Continuous monitoring, strict audit requirements, and penetration testing
Only a small percentage of federal agencies require FedRAMP High
Who Needs FedRAMP High?
Cloud service providers handling classified or top-secret data
Healthcare SaaS companies working with sensitive medical data
Critical infrastructure and energy providers
Law enforcement and emergency response cloud platforms
1. Assess Your Data Sensitivity: If your organisation handles CUI, financial records, or law enforcement data, you likely need FedRAMP Moderate. If you deal with classified, intelligence, or critical national security data, you must adhere to FedRAMP High.
2. Evaluate Risk Impact: Consider the impact of a potential security breach. Would it result in moderate financial or reputational damage, or could it pose a severe threat to public safety?
3. Consider Your Client Base: If your organisation serves multiple government agencies, you may need Moderate. If you work with intelligence agencies or critical infrastructure, you’ll likely require High.
4. Compliance Budget and Resources: FedRAMP High requires significantly more security controls, which means higher costs for compliance, monitoring, and audits.
Navigating FedRAMP compliance can be complex, and ensuring your organisation meets the correct security impact level is crucial. Microminder CS offers a range of services to assist cloud providers in achieving and maintaining FedRAMP Moderate and High compliance, including:
Security Architecture Review: Ensures your security controls align with FedRAMP requirements.
Penetration Testing Services: Identifies vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Continuous Monitoring & Compliance Audits: Ensures you remain compliant beyond initial authorisation.
Cloud Security Assessment Services: Helps secure your cloud infrastructure per FedRAMP High standards.
Incident Response & Threat Hunting: Provides rapid response and threat mitigation.
Achieving FedRAMP compliance is a competitive advantage for cloud service providers. Whether you need Moderate or High compliance, we ensure your cloud environment is secure, compliant, and ready to handle federal data.
Get in touch with Microminder CS today to ensure your organisation is FedRAMP-ready!
Don’t Let Cyber Attacks Ruin Your Business
Call
UK: +44 (0)20 3336 7200
KSA: +966 1351 81844
UAE: +971 454 01252
Contents
To keep up with innovation in IT & OT security, subscribe to our newsletter
Thank you
Our team of industry domain experts combined with our guaranteed SLAs, our world class technology .
Recent Posts
Cloud Security | 20/09/2025
Cyber Compliance | 17/09/2025
Cyber Compliance | 15/09/2025
What is the difference between FedRAMP Moderate and FedRAMP High?
FedRAMP Moderate applies to cloud services handling data that, if compromised, would result in serious but not catastrophic damage, such as personally identifiable information (PII) and financial records. FedRAMP High, on the other hand, is designed for cloud services that process highly sensitive government data, including law enforcement, emergency response, and defense-related information, where a breach could have severe consequences.Who is required to comply with FedRAMP?
Any cloud service provider (CSP) that wants to offer cloud solutions to US federal agencies must comply with FedRAMP. Government agencies also require FedRAMP-certified solutions when using third-party cloud services.What are the key security controls in FedRAMP High compared to Moderate?
FedRAMP High includes all the security controls required for Moderate but adds extra layers of security, such as enhanced encryption, additional access control measures, and more rigorous incident response and monitoring processes.How do I determine if my organisation needs FedRAMP High instead of Moderate?
The choice depends on the sensitivity of the data your organisation processes. If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with a higher risk impact or support critical government functions, FedRAMP High may be required. If your services primarily deal with general business data, FedRAMP Moderate is usually sufficient.How long does it take to get FedRAMP Moderate or High certification?
The timeline varies, but the process typically takes 6 to 12 months for Moderate and up to 18 months for High, depending on the complexity of the cloud service, the readiness of security documentation, and coordination with a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO).