IBM Achieves U.S. Government's First FedRAMP Mobile Authorization

IBM announced that its cloud-based MaaS360 platform is the first Enterprise Mobility Management solution to receive a Provisional Authorization to Operate (P-ATO) from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Joint Authorization Board (JAB). MaaS360 is used by more than 50 federal organizations, including the General Services Administration, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior to securely enable their mobile technology, and can now be used across all agencies with this new certification.

FedRAMP is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. This framework saves time and staff required to conduct redundant agency security assessments. According to @FedRAMP, in the last six months, the program has saved the government $70 million and increased cloud usage by 41 percent.

“Having met all the stringent security requirements of the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board, comprised of the CIOs of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration, MaaS360 from IBM is now a FedRAMP compliant cloud service able to be authorized for use across all federal agencies,” said FedRAMP Director Matt Goodrich.

Delivered as a cloud service, MaaS360 allows organizations to instantly monitor and control smartphones, tablets and PCs, including personally owned devices. In addition, MaaS360 provides advanced security through integration with IBM Security Access Manager for Identity Management and IBM Trusteer for Threat Management. The combination of these technologies powers a comprehensive set of mobile management and security capabilities across users, devices, apps, content and transactions. This is critical for government agencies, financial services and other industries with enhanced security requirements.

“Federal agencies are demanding secure mobility solutions to support their desire to transform business processes and improve services to citizens, the military and government workers," said Anne Altman, General Manager, IBM Federal. “The FedRAMP authorization recognizes IBM's commitment to delivering the best mobile management and security experiences to help our clients usher in a more mobile-centric era through the cloud.”

MaaS360 joins a portfolio of FedRAMP compliant IBM cloud services, including theSoftLayer Federal cloudSmartCloud for Government.

JAB is the primary governance group of the FedRAMP program, consisting of the chief information officers of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. General Services Administration.

The IBM MobileFirst portfolio helps businesses adopt mobile technology to better engage with customers and to extend their businesses to new markets. MaaS360 (MobileFirst Protect) includes cloud-based capabilities, delivering a comprehensive mobile management and security solution for global organizations of all sizes. These capabilities support IBM’s vision for enterprise mobility management, which also encompasses the lifecycle management of apps and security of transactions between businesses, partners and customers.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”