FEDRAMP Application Security Test Plan

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

This document provides a structured test plan to assess the application security controls required for Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) compliance. The objective is to ensure that organizations implementing secure software development practices, API security controls, vulnerability management, and third-party component security can effectively demonstrate compliance with FedRAMP Moderate and High Baselines, as defined in NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 and the FedRAMP Security Control Baselines.

1.2 Scope

This test plan is specifically focused on application security controls relevant to FedRAMP Moderate and High Baselines, mapped to NIST 800-53 Rev. 5 security control families:

• System and Communications Protection (SC-xx) – Required
• Access Control (AC-xx) – Required
• Risk Assessment (RA-xx) – Required
• Security Assessment and Authorization (CA-xx) – Required
• Configuration Management (CM-xx) – Required
• Contingency Planning (CP-xx) – If in scope

This document excludes broader infrastructure and operational security controls such as physical security, general IT operations, and non-application-specific monitoring, unless explicitly required for FedRAMP compliance.

2. Testing Framework and Methodology

FedRAMP assessments require that security controls be:

1. Implemented and Operational – The organization must have fully implemented controls that align with FedRAMP's required security baselines.
2. Continuously Monitored – Controls must be continuously assessed to ensure operational effectiveness.
3. Reviewed by an Accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) – Independent validation of controls is required before an agency can authorize the system.

The following test plan evaluates application security controls across key FedRAMP security control families to ensure compliance with FedRAMP Moderate and High Baselines.

3. Test Plan: FedRAMP Application Security Controls

The following table provides a detailed test plan for evaluating FedRAMP application security controls, including control descriptions, testing procedures, success criteria, and evidence requirements.

Table 1: FedRAMP Application Security Test Plan

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