Authority to Operate(ATO)

Overview

An Authority to Operate (ATO) is a formal declaration by an Authorizing Official that a system meets security requirements and the residual risk is acceptable. Governed by the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800-37, the ATO process involves security categorization, control selection and implementation, assessment, and continuous monitoring.

Why It Matters in GovCon

IT contractors delivering systems to federal agencies cannot deploy those systems into production without an ATO. The ATO process often takes months and can delay contract deliverables, making it critical for contractors to plan for security documentation, testing, and remediation early in the development lifecycle.

Key Details

• Duration: ATOs are typically granted for three years, after which reauthorization is required.
• Types: Full ATO, Interim ATO (IATO) for limited-duration use, and Authorization to Test (ATT) for evaluation environments.
• Requirements: A complete security package including System Security Plan (SSP), Security Assessment Report (SAR), and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
• FedRAMP: Cloud services require a FedRAMP ATO, which can be leveraged across agencies.
• Continuous Monitoring: Modern approaches emphasize ongoing authorization rather than point-in-time assessments.

Related Terms

• Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• FedRAMP
• System Security Plan (SSP)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)