FedRAMP's Penetration Test Guidance requires cloud service providers seeking a federal Authority to Operate to undergo testing that covers external, internal, mobile (where applicable) and social engineering attack vectors, following a defined rules-of-engagement process before a 3PAO conducts the official assessment.
We deliver testing structured to that guidance, so your 3PAO assessment starts from a position of strength, not surprises.
We scope testing to your authorization boundary following FedRAMP's Penetration Test Guidance — external, internal and where applicable mobile and social engineering vectors — and structure the report and rules-of-engagement documentation the way your 3PAO and the agency sponsor will expect to see them.
Why it matters
A federal ATO is a gate, not a formality — agencies will not procure a cloud service without it, and a failed or delayed 3PAO assessment is expensive in both time and reputation with your agency sponsor. Going into the official assessment with independent, well-documented testing evidence materially reduces that risk.
What we test
- External network penetration testing (authorization boundary)
- Internal network penetration testing
- Mobile application testing (where in scope)
- Social engineering testing (where in scope)
- Rules-of-engagement documentation preparation
- 3PAO-ready evidence pack
Common vulnerabilities we uncover
- Authorization boundary gaps not previously tested
- Internal network exposure inside the FedRAMP boundary
- Missing or incomplete rules-of-engagement documentation
- Findings not structured for 3PAO review
- Untested changes since your last authorization or annual assessment
- Social engineering exposure where it is in your assessment scope
Our methodology
- Scoping & rules of engagement. We agree objectives, targets and boundaries for your fedramp penetration testing, so testing is safe, authorized and focused on what matters to your business.
- Reconnaissance & mapping. We enumerate the full attack surface in scope, building a complete picture before any exploitation begins.
- Manual exploitation. Our senior testers chain vulnerabilities by hand — going far beyond automated scanners — to prove real, demonstrable impact.
- Analysis & reporting. Every finding is triaged, risk-rated with CVSS and written up with a copy-paste reproduction and clear remediation.
- Remediation support & free retest. We support your team through the fixes and retest the remediated issues to confirm they are genuinely closed.
Tools & techniques
We test your authorization boundary against FedRAMP's Penetration Test Guidance methodology, covering external network, internal network, and mobile and social engineering vectors where they are in scope, and prepare rules-of-engagement documentation and a report structured the way your 3PAO expects to review it.
When you need this engagement
- You are a cloud service provider pursuing a federal Authority to Operate
- You are preparing for an annual FedRAMP assessment
- Your 3PAO has flagged gaps in prior testing evidence
- You are expanding your authorization boundary and need updated testing
- You need rules-of-engagement documentation prepared ahead of assessment
What you receive
- Penetration test report aligned to FedRAMP guidance
- Rules-of-engagement documentation
- 3PAO-ready evidence pack
- Authorization-boundary gap findings
- Prioritised remediation roadmap
- Free retest after remediation
What’s included in your report
Every fedramp penetration testing engagement concludes with a comprehensive, board-ready report and a working session to walk your team through it. Your report includes:
- An executive summary with overall risk posture for non-technical stakeholders
- Detailed technical findings, each with a step-by-step, copy-paste reproduction
- CVSS v3.1 severity ratings and business-impact context for every issue
- Prioritized, actionable remediation guidance your engineers can apply directly
- A complimentary retest to confirm fixes and update finding status
- A formal attestation letter for customers, auditors and compliance programs
Standards & frameworks
FedRAMP Penetration Test Guidance
NIST SP 800-53
Outcomes you can expect
After your fedramp penetration testing, you will have clear, evidence-based visibility into your real security risk — not a scanner’s guesswork. You will know exactly which weaknesses an attacker could exploit, what the business impact would be, and the precise steps to fix them in priority order. Teams use our findings to close critical gaps, satisfy customer and regulator security requirements, and demonstrate due diligence to their board. With a complimentary retest included, you also get documented proof that the issues are genuinely resolved.
Engagement details & logistics
Every fedramp penetration testing starts with a short, no-obligation scoping call to understand your goals, environment and constraints, followed by a fixed-price proposal and a clear statement of work. Most engagements are delivered fully remotely, with on-site work arranged where it genuinely adds value. Throughout testing we maintain an agreed communication cadence and escalate any critical, high-impact finding to you immediately rather than waiting for the final report. All work is performed under a signed NDA with strict data-handling controls, using safe, non-disruptive techniques and carefully coordinated rules of engagement to protect your production systems. On completion you receive your report and a walkthrough session, followed by a complimentary retest once your fixes are in place. Typical engagements are booked one to three weeks in advance, and urgent or pre-deadline testing can often be accommodated — just ask at hi@agentoffense.com.
Why organizations choose AgentOffense
Our fedramp penetration testing is delivered by senior offensive-security engineers who test the way real attackers do — manually, creatively and with a relentless focus on proving genuine, demonstrable impact. Here is what sets our engagements apart:
- Manual, exploit-driven testing that chains vulnerabilities the way a real attacker would, going far beyond what automated scanners can find.
- Reproducible proof for every finding, with copy-paste reproduction steps your engineers can follow and independently verify.
- Honest severity calibration so you invest in fixing what genuinely matters and avoid wasting effort on false positives and noise.
- Clear, business-focused reporting that speaks to engineers and executives alike, tying every issue to real-world impact.
- A complimentary retest included, so you get documented proof that your fixes actually close the attack path.
- Responsible, collaborative delivery with a named point of contact and secure handling of all data throughout the engagement.
Explore related services
FedRAMP Penetration Testing is frequently scoped alongside our other offensive-security services for broader coverage. Explore related engagements that complement it:
How much does FedRAMP Penetration Testing cost?
Every fedramp penetration testing is scoped and priced individually, so you pay for exactly the coverage you need — with no hidden extras. After a short, no-obligation scoping call we send a fixed-price quote, usually within one business day, with clear deliverables, a firm timeline and a complimentary retest included. The price of your fedramp penetration testing depends on the size and complexity of the target and the depth of testing required, so you always know the cost up front before any work begins.
Get a fixed-price quote
Frequently asked questions
Does FedRAMP require penetration testing?
Yes — FedRAMP's own Penetration Test Guidance requires cloud service providers to undergo testing covering external, internal, and where applicable mobile and social engineering vectors, ahead of and as part of the 3PAO assessment process.
What is a 3PAO and how does this relate?
A 3PAO is a FedRAMP-accredited Third Party Assessment Organization that conducts your official assessment. Going in with independent, well-documented penetration test evidence reduces surprises and assessment risk.
How often does testing need to happen?
At minimum annually as part of continuous monitoring obligations, and whenever your authorization boundary changes significantly.
Do you prepare the rules-of-engagement documentation too?
Yes, we prepare it as part of the engagement so it is ready for your 3PAO and agency sponsor to review alongside the testing report.