FedRAMP launches Technical Advisory Group to help guide program decision making

May 21, 2024

Experts to advise on technical direction of the FedRAMP program

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration, in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget, announced the creation of a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to provide the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) with expertise to help inform decision-making on the technical, strategic, and operational direction of the program. 

The TAG’s creation reflects another high-level commitment to FedRAMP’s efforts to engage stakeholders who can independently provide input to improve the way FedRAMP delivers emerging technology solutions that help agencies deliver on their missions.

“The TAG will empower FedRAMP to benefit from the strong technical expertise we have throughout the federal government,” said Eric Mill, GSA’s executive Director for Cloud Strategy in Technology Transformation Services. “This group will help make FedRAMP a smarter and more technology-forward operation that better meets its goal of making it safe and easy for federal agencies to take full advantage of cloud services.” 

The TAG is comprised of federal experts who can advise directly on both public and internal FedRAMP issues, based on their ability to contribute technical experience from their government work that is relevant to FedRAMP operations. 

The TAG complements the work of the Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee (which includes both public and private-sector representatives). The TAG also provides advice and guidance as requested by the FedRAMP program and the FedRAMP Board, helping FedRAMP make decisions on processes, policies, and other areas where independent technical expertise can strengthen outcomes. 

“FedRAMP plays a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of secure cloud solutions into mission-critical operations,” stated Laura Gerhardt, OMB’s Director of Technology Modernization and Data. “With their deep understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by federal agencies, the TAG is well-positioned to provide valuable insights into streamlining processes, enhancing security postures, and adapting to novel technology implementations so that agencies can leverage the full potential of FedRAMP.”

The inaugural TAG members are:

• Laura Beaufort, Technical Lead, Federal Election Commission.
• Michael Boyce, Director of Artificial Intelligence Corps (AI Corps), Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security. 
• Grant Dasher, Architecture Branch Chief, Office of the Technical Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency. 
• Paul Hirsch, Technical Lead, Technology Transformation Services, General Services Administration.
• Elizabeth Schweinsberg, Senior Technical Advisor, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Department of Health and Human Services. 
• Nicole Thompson, Cybersecurity Engineer, Defense Digital Service, Department of Defense. 
• Brian Turnau, Cloud Authorization Program Manager, Office of the Chief Information Officer, General Services Administration. 

For more information about FedRAMP, please visit fedramp.gov.

###

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.