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If you've received a report labeled "Red Team Assessment" and can’t help but notice it reads more like a penetration test report, you're not alone. We've seen this pattern repeatedly. Organizations invest in what they believe is a Red Team engagement, only to receive a penetration test with a different label. This deception can be more damaging than helpful as it is fundamental to your security posture that you understand the depth of assessment your organization actually received.

FedRAMP 20x is progressing quickly, with phase 2 just around the corner. Designed to modernize and streamline the authorization process, FedRAMP 20x is reshaping how cloud service providers (CSPs) achieve and maintain authorization to operate (ATO) in the federal marketplace.

Since the beginning of 2024, FedRAMP Revision 5 has mandated that organizations not only perform traditional penetration tests, but also undergo comprehensive red team engagements. This new requirement reflects a broader emphasis on assessing not just technical vulnerabilities, but also the effectiveness of an organization’s overall security posture, including it’s response to sophisticated and realistic threats. Over the past year, we’ve conducted many red team exercises, each tailored to different organizational environments and threat landscapes. These engagements have varied significantly in scope and complexity, offering us a wealth of insights into both our successes and the challenges we’ve faced.

If you develop or sell commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology that ends up in Department of Defense (DoD) environments, there’s a new bar you have to clear. Katie Arrington, the acting DoD CIO has issued a new memo that directly impacts how you manage your software supply chain, and it’s going to change how COTS vendors prepare for procurement.

The FedRAMP 20x pilot marks the most significant shift in federal cloud security in over a decade. Launched in May 2025, the program aims to modernize the authorization process by emphasizing speed, automation, and real-time security validation. For organizations pursuing Low Baseline authorization, the 20x path offers a faster, more efficient entry point into the federal market.

Organizations seeking to work with the US government today must navigate a growing array of compliance requirements. Among the most prominent security frameworks are the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), each playing a critical role in securing federal information and systems.

Vulnerability scanning is one of the most critical — and commonly misunderstood — requirements in achieving the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Authorization to Operate (ATO). Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) must demonstrate a mature vulnerability management program to meet FedRAMP’s rigorous standards, requiring the right people, processes, and technologies in place.

It's been an exciting past few years for the Schellman penetration testing team. Throughout 2024, our team worked with over 150 clients to support their efforts in securing their businesses. As a lead assessor in the FedRAMP marketplace, Schellman prides ourselves in being able to assess our clients’ systems and helping to identify the vulnerabilities they may have.