Key Takeaway: Palo Alto Networks has achieved GovRAMP High Authorization for the Idira® Identity Security Platform. Building on Idira’s existing FedRAMP High authorization, this milestone gives state, local, and education organizations an independently validated way to evaluate Idira for cloud identity security.
State, county, and municipal IT and security leaders face continuous pressure to modernize legacy systems and defend against ransomware. However, evaluating every cloud service provider from scratch can strain already stretched security teams. GovRAMP provides a standardized way to assess cloud risk, reuse verified security evidence, and reduce repetitive reviews.
We're proud to announce that the Idira Identity Security Platform has earned GovRAMP High Authorization, extending the Idira cloud-based Privileged Access Management (or PAM) capabilities to state and local government customers.
What Is GovRAMP High Authorization and Why It Matters for SLED
GovRAMP (formerly StateRAMP) is a nonprofit community that standardizes cloud security verification for state, local, and education, or SLED, organizations. The GovRAMP framework provides a risk-based pathway to verify and maintain secure cloud solutions, giving public-sector buyers a consistent way to evaluate cloud security.
GovRAMP is built on NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5. Authorized status is the program’s highest level of validation and is based on an independent assessment of more than 300 NIST controls. GovRAMP High impact level demonstrates that Idira meets the most stringent standards for securing critical infrastructure and state IT networks from emerging cyber threats.
GovRAMP High demonstrates that Idira meets the most stringent standards for securing critical infrastructure and state IT networks from emerging cyber threats.
GovRAMP Reciprocity Extends the FedRAMP Foundation
The practical value for public sector CISOs is straightforward: Our GovRAMP High Authorization covers the same platform and product environment already vetted and authorized under our FedRAMP High package:
- One Consistent Environment: State and federal customers can use the same Idira platform and product environment rather than separate versions created for each program.
- Simpler procurement: The GovRAMP designation streamlines vendor vetting, helping organizations satisfy contracting and procurement requirements specific to state and local government.
GovRAMP High Benefits for Public Sector CISOs
For agencies, GovRAMP High Authorization eliminates redundant security reviews, while the Idira Identity Security Platform brings identity controls together through a cloud-native approach.
Key benefits for state and local agencies include:
- Faster Agency Reviews: Because Idira is already authorized at the High baseline, your security team can inherit our pre-vetted controls rather than starting from scratch. This cuts internal review and approval timelines from months to weeks.
- Reduced Identity Silos: Bring identity controls together for municipal employees, administrative staff, and third-party contractors, helping reduce coverage gaps created by disconnected tools.
- Better Use of Your Security Team: Spend less time on manual compliance tracking and repetitive documentation, freeing security teams to focus on threats and agency priorities.
- Real-Time Access Controls: Use AI-driven risk analysis to evaluate user context and help enforce the appropriate level of access at the appropriate time.
Idira Identity Security Capabilities
Idira brings together end-to-end visibility and protection across the full user lifecycle, helping public-sector organizations protect workforce identities, privileged access, and endpoint privileges:
- PAM: Vault, monitor, and audit administrative credentials and high-risk sessions through a secure, cloud-based platform.
- Workforce Access: Apply phishing-resistant multifactor authentication or MFA and single sign-on aligned with modern identity standards.
- Endpoint Privilege Manager or EPM: Enforce policy-based least privilege at the device level, remove unnecessary administrator permissions, restrict unauthorized software execution, and help reduce the risk of privilege escalation and lateral movement.
Verify Idira’s GovRAMP Status
To learn more, view Idira on the GovRAMP Program Participants List or contact the Palo Alto Networks public sector team.
FAQs
What is the significance of GovRAMP High Authorization for state and local agencies?
GovRAMP High Authorization gives SLED organizations a standardized, independently validated framework to evaluate cloud security. Idira’s High impact level demonstrates that the platform meets strict requirements for high-impact public-sector cloud use cases, protecting critical infrastructure and resident data.
How is GovRAMP High related to Idira’s FedRAMP High authorization?
Idira obtained GovRAMP High Authorization through reciprocity with FedRAMP High. GovRAMP covers the exact same Idira platform and product environment authorized under FedRAMP High, but directly addresses procurement and contracting requirements used by state and local government organizations.
How does Idira’s GovRAMP status accelerate Authority to Operate (ATO) timelines?
Instead of assessing over 300 security controls independently, agency security teams can inherit Idira’s pre-vetted GovRAMP High control package. This drastically reduces administrative overhead and internal approval cycles.
Can Idira help mitigate ransomware risks for municipal networks?
Yes. By combining Endpoint Privilege Management with zero trust identity controls, the platform strips unneeded local admin rights and enforces least-privilege policies—preventing attackers from escalating privileges or moving laterally if a network breach occurs.