FedRAMP 20x Knowledge Authority
FedRAMP 20x is the U.S. government's modernized approach to authorizing cloud services for federal use, introduced under the FedRAMP Consolidated Rules for 2026 (CR26). It emphasizes automation, machine-readable evidence, and continuous validation in place of document-heavy, point-in-time review.
Educational resource only. scm.cc is not a FedRAMP Recognized Independent Assessor (3PAO) and is not FedRAMP-authorized; it grants no authorization, certification, or assessment outcome. FedRAMP.gov is the authoritative source. This is not legal advice.
FedRAMP 20x status
Each figure is copied from a sourced record. Counts that are not in those records are left off.
- Certification class availability
- Class A: pilot; Class B: in transition; Class C: in transition; Class D: proposal-stage
- Last verified 2026-09-27. FedRAMP Certification reference (classes, KSI metrics window)
- Next major deadline
- 2027-01-01: Active 20x offerings must follow CR26 (or corrective action)
- Last verified 2026-10-11. FedRAMP path & transition deadlines (Important Deadlines)
- Rev5 transition deadline
- 2027-06-11: No new applications for FedRAMP Rev5 Certification
- Last verified 2026-10-11. FedRAMP path & transition deadlines (Important Deadlines)
- Most recent official update
- 2026-10-11: Official CR26 overall dates re-verified
- Last verified 2026-10-11. FedRAMP path & transition deadlines
- Recent certification activity
- 2026-06-24: Security Decision Record reference (replaces the SSP on the 20x path)
- Last verified 2026-09-27. Security Decision Record (replaces the SSP)
Latest FedRAMP 20x updates
2026-10-11 · deadline
Official CR26 overall dates re-verifiedThe published overall table still lists 2026-07-04 CR26 widespread effect, 2027-01-01 Rev5 new-app and 20x maintain cliffs, 2027-06-11 Rev5 application close, 2028-02-01 default grace end, and 2028-12-31 CR26 practice expiry. Per-ruleset obtain/maintain rows remain on FedRAMP.gov only.
2026-09-27 · rule-change
CR26 Key Security Indicators pinned (46 indicators / 10 families)Ten families and 46 indicators (ids, names, statements, Class C markers, related SP 800-53 citations) are treated as official text. scm.cc family titles remain authored display labels.
2026-06-25 · announcement
FedRAMP launches Consolidated Rules for 202620x practices (SDR, KSIs, CCM/OCR, VDR) are collected as consolidated rules rather than a Rev5-only control baseline.
What changed from Rev5
FedRAMP 20x keeps the underlying security expectations but changes how a cloud service demonstrates them:
- The Security Decision Record (SDR) is the core package artifact under 20x, in place of the traditional System Security Plan (SSP).
- Key Security Indicators (KSIs) — 10 families and 46 indicators under CR26 — express measurable security capabilities that are validated by automated methods.
- Authorization status is expressed through Certification and Classes A-D.
- Monitoring is collaborative and continuous, rather than only a monthly document delivery.
Certification classes at a glance
FedRAMP uses Certification and Classes A-D for package baselines. During the transition through December 31, 2026, Class B (Low), Class C (Moderate) and Class D (High) pair the new class with the earlier impact label; Class A is a pilot. Certification does not replace an agency's own authorization to operate (ATO). Class A and Class D specifics continue to evolve — confirm the current class definitions on FedRAMP.gov before relying on them.
How certification works
The path runs from determining applicability and the right class, to implementing requirements and KSIs, establishing the SDR and persistent validation, gathering evidence, an independent assessment by a FedRAMP Recognized Independent Assessor (the role formerly called a 3PAO) where required, resolving findings, and the certification decision. Each stage is covered in the Get Certified guides.
Assessor skills training
A separate self-serve catalog teaches people to read official 20x rules, grade labeled test evidence, and write replayable findings. Completing a course yields an scm.cc training certificate only. Official Recognition of an independent assessment service requires A2LA accreditation (REC-IAS-ACC) and a Marketplace listing — this portal cannot make someone an assessor.
Explore the knowledge hub
Learn
- What is 20x?
- Fundamentals
- 20x vs Rev5
- Classes A–D
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
- Class D
- KSIs
- SDR
- Evidence
- Continuous Monitoring
- Vulnerability Mgmt
- Identity & Access
- Logging
- Config Management
- Encryption
- Incident Response
- Compliance as Code
- OSCAL
- Glossary
- Controls
- AC-17
- AC-2
- AC-6
- AU-12
- AU-2
- AU-6
- CA-7
- CM-2
- CM-6
- CP-9
- IA-2
- IA-4
- IA-5
- IR-4
- IR-8
- RA-3
- RA-5
- SC-13
- SC-7
- SI-2
- SI-4
Assessor training
Get Certified
Stay Certified
Implementation
Marketplace
Intelligence
Free Tools
Primary sources
- FedRAMP 20x overview & Core Principles
- FedRAMP Consolidated Rules for 2026 (CR26)
- FedRAMP Certification reference
- Security Decision Record
- Key Security Indicators
Reviewed against official sources as of 2026-09-27. FedRAMP.gov is the authoritative source; verify current rules before relying on a date or requirement.