FedRAMP levels and baselines: All you need to know

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FedRAMP baselines (Low, Moderate, High—and Li-SaaS variants) determine which NIST 800-53 controls apply. Picking the wrong baseline wastes time or leaves gaps.

This guide covers: Impact levels; How to choose.

GIF via GIPHY

Related: FedRAMP collection · fedramp requirements checklist guide for each baseline

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Key takeaways

• Low: limited adverse effect; smallest control set.
• Moderate: most common for multi-tenant SaaS.
• High: federal systems with serious impact if compromised.
• Li-SaaS: tailored baseline for low-impact SaaS models.

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Impact levels

Low: limited adverse effect; smallest control set.

Moderate: most common for multi-tenant SaaS.

High: federal systems with serious impact if compromised.

Li-SaaS: tailored baseline for low-impact SaaS models.

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How to choose

Follow agency data classification and contract language.

Map your architecture: PII volume, availability, and shared responsibility.

Document rationale in the SSP.

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Related guides

• FedRAMP collection
• fedramp-requirements-checklist-guide-for-each-baseline

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Get started with SecureSlate

SecureSlate helps teams automate evidence, control mapping, and audit-ready workflows for FedRAMP and related frameworks.

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FAQ

How long does FedRAMP authorization take?

Timelines vary by baseline and maturity; many first-time Moderate efforts run roughly 12–24 months including remediation.

Can we reuse SOC 2 evidence for FedRAMP?

Often partially—cross-map controls in a GRC platform, then close FedRAMP-specific gaps (SSP depth, ConMon, federal inheritance).

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Disclaimer (legal note)

General information only—not legal, audit, or attestation advice. Requirements depend on your contracts, system boundary, and assessor guidance.