FedRAMP adopts Significant Change Notifications for cloud providers

The FedRAMP Board has voted to support wide-scale adoption of the Significant Change Notifications process within the government. Cloud service providers will no longer be required to ask the government for permission to improve their own service just because they have a government customer. Instead of relying on the Significant Change Request process, cloud services may adopt the new optional Significant Change Notifications process. This supports consistency and transparency between agencies and cloud service providers adopting the process. The Program Management Office will share materials and playbooks for agencies over the next two months. The Office of Management and Budget and the Board will connect with the CIO and CISO Councils to spread the word. The goal is for a majority of Rev5 cloud service providers to adopt the process by the end of 2026. Adoption of the process is intended to lower the burden for agencies and ensure the government can access the latest capabilities without undue delay. The process still requires strict change management, careful communication, and effective risk management. It does not open the door for random change. Cloud service providers interested in adopting the process should start with the documentation. Agency staff with questions should connect with their agency FedRAMP liaison or email [email protected]. This will help align agency policies with M-24-15.