In this conversation, Ryan Manthy from GovDash sits down with Max Aulakh of Ignyte to walk through the FedRAMP® audit process. They cover what agencies and contractors actually expect, common pitfalls teams hit, and how to meet federal-grade security requirements without sacrificing speed.

Why FedRAMP Matters to GovDash Customers

For teams managing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), FedRAMP-aligned security is essential. With the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) now required across Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, technology vendors for those contractors must demonstrate compliance. To support our customers operating in highly regulated, risk-averse environments, we meet FedRAMP Moderate controls.

FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency: The Path We Took

GovDash doesn’t contract directly with federal agencies; therefore, we didn’t have an agency sponsor. Instead, we followed the Department of Defense’s equivalency process for FedRAMP Moderate.

This path requires the same controls, an independent assessment, and zero risk assumption by a federal agency. It often demands more rigor and offers no shortcuts.

Why We Built Our Own Infrastructure

We chose to own the entire process. GovDash built its infrastructure from the ground up, with a dedicated security and infrastructure team. This gave us complete control of system architecture, deployment pipelines, and security implementation. Every decision is centered on protecting customer data.

Security from the Start

Security is not a final checkpoint at GovDash. It begins at the design stage.

Our engineers follow secure development practices from day one. That includes secure defaults, infrastructure as code, continuous monitoring, and structured change management. This approach enables speed without compromising trust.

“We’ve been focused on securing our infrastructure from the inception of the company. FedRAMP wasn’t a shift in mindset. It was a continuation of how we already operated.” - Ryan Manthy, Security & Compliance at GovDash

Selecting the Right Auditor

Legacy audit firms focused on documentation rather than outcomes. That approach did not align with our expectations. Ignyte was different.

From the first conversation, their focus was on real, material risk. The discussions were technical, direct, and grounded in operational reality. The audit process was collaborative and efficient. The goal was not to pass, it was to verify and strengthen our security posture.

The Result

GovDash is now FedRAMP Moderate equivalent. Our platform securely processes CUI. Our customers meet their compliance requirements with confidence. We continue to move fast, without losing control of our infrastructure.

“Security and speed aren’t opposites if you design for both.”