CMMC vs FedRAMP vs GovRAMP (StateRAMP): Which Do You Need?

Last updated: November 14, 2026

CMMC is for companies in the defense supply chain that handle Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information. FedRAMP is for cloud service providers selling to federal agencies. GovRAMP, formerly StateRAMP, is for cloud providers selling to state and local governments. A company can need more than one: a SaaS vendor serving the Pentagon and state agencies might need FedRAMP and GovRAMP, while its defense contractor customers need CMMC.

All three draw on NIST security controls, but they differ in who must comply, which control set applies and who performs the assessment.

CMMC vs FedRAMP vs GovRAMP At A Glance

Factor	CMMC	FedRAMP	GovRAMP (StateRAMP)
Who needs it	Defense contractors and subcontractors handling FCI or CUI	Cloud services used by federal agencies	Cloud services used by state and local governments
Run by	Department of Defense with The Cyber AB	FedRAMP program office at GSA	Nonprofit GovRAMP organization
Control basis	FAR 52.204-21 (Level 1), NIST SP 800-171 (Level 2), NIST SP 800-172 subset (Level 3)	NIST SP 800-53 baselines	NIST SP 800-53 based baselines
Levels	Level 1, 2 and 3	Low, Moderate, High (plus tailored options)	Low, Moderate, High, plus progressing statuses
Assessed by	Self-assessment, C3PAO or DIBCAC depending on level	Accredited 3PAO, then agency or program authorization	Accredited 3PAO with GovRAMP review
Result	CMMC status recorded for contract eligibility	FedRAMP authorization listed on the Marketplace	GovRAMP verified status listed publicly

What Is CMMC?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program requires defense contractors to meet security requirements matched to the information they handle. Level 1 covers basic safeguarding of Federal Contract Information. Level 2 aligns with the 110 requirements of NIST SP 800-171 for Controlled Unclassified Information and usually requires a third-party assessment. Level 3 adds selected NIST SP 800-172 requirements assessed by the government. See our CMMC Level 2 guide.

What Is FedRAMP?

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program standardizes security authorization for cloud products used by federal agencies. Providers implement NIST SP 800-53 controls at the right baseline, are assessed by an accredited 3PAO and receive an authorization that agencies can reuse. FedRAMP has also introduced a 20x pathway emphasizing automation. See our FedRAMP 3PAO list.

What Is GovRAMP?

GovRAMP, which rebranded from StateRAMP, gives state and local governments a common way to verify cloud provider security. It uses NIST SP 800-53 based baselines and 3PAO assessments and offers progressing statuses for providers working toward full verification. It recognizes FedRAMP work to reduce duplication.

How They Overlap

• Defense contractors storing CUI in the cloud need cloud services that meet FedRAMP Moderate or an equivalent standard, linking CMMC and FedRAMP
• NIST SP 800-171 requirements are derived from NIST SP 800-53, so control work transfers partly between programs
• Many 3PAOs assess both FedRAMP and GovRAMP, which can reduce effort
• Compliance platforms often map all three. See multi-framework compliance platforms

Which One Do You Need?

You supply parts or services to the DoD

You need CMMC at the level your contracts specify.

You sell a cloud product to federal agencies

You need FedRAMP authorization.

You sell a cloud product to states, counties or cities

You likely need GovRAMP verification, depending on the buyer’s requirements.

You sell cloud software that defense contractors use for CUI

Your customers will expect FedRAMP Moderate or equivalent, and you may need it to keep them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FedRAMP the same as CMMC?

No. FedRAMP authorizes cloud services for federal agency use. CMMC verifies the security of defense contractors handling FCI and CUI.

Is StateRAMP now called GovRAMP?

Yes. StateRAMP rebranded as GovRAMP.

Does FedRAMP authorization count toward GovRAMP?

GovRAMP recognizes FedRAMP work to reduce duplication, but providers should confirm specific requirements with GovRAMP.

What is FedRAMP Moderate equivalent?

It refers to cloud services that meet the security requirements of the FedRAMP Moderate baseline without necessarily holding a FedRAMP authorization, a standard referenced for contractors storing CUI in the cloud.

Conclusion

Match the framework to your customer: CMMC for defense supply chain work, FedRAMP for federal cloud sales and GovRAMP for state and local cloud sales. If you serve several markets, plan one control program that maps to all of them.

For more rankings, comparisons and guides on this topic, visit the Defense & Government Contracting hub.