StateRAMP is the standardized security assessment program for cloud services sold to state and local government agencies. Built on the same NIST SP 800-53 foundation as FedRAMP, StateRAMP authorization requires demonstrating continuous operation of security controls. MergeGuide enforces the software development controls from the StateRAMP baseline.
State and local government agencies increasingly require StateRAMP authorization — or FedRAMP equivalent — for cloud software procurement. StateRAMP uses the same NIST SP 800-53 control catalog as FedRAMP, organized into three impact levels (Low, Moderate, High) aligned with data sensitivity.
For software vendors pursuing StateRAMP authorization, the software development controls in the SA and SI families require documented, automated testing processes. MergeGuide provides the automated code-level enforcement and evidence generation required to satisfy these controls.
MergeGuide includes policies that guide implementation of StateRAMP software development controls — with the same OSCAL-compatible evidence artifacts used for FedRAMP, adapted for state agency authorization workflows.
MergeGuide templates cover key StateRAMP software development controls at the code level:
| 800-53 Control (StateRAMP) | What MergeGuide Detects | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| IA-5 — Authenticator Management | Hardcoded passwords, API keys, and secrets in source code | Critical |
| SI-10 — Input Validation | SQL injection patterns — unparameterized queries with user-controlled input | Critical |
| SI-3 — Malicious Code Protection | Command injection and unsafe deserialization patterns | Critical |
| SC-28 — Protection at Rest | Government data fields stored without encryption in application code | High |
| SC-8 — Transmission Confidentiality | Data transmitted over HTTP or deprecated TLS protocols | High |
| AC-3 — Access Enforcement | Overprivileged IAM role definitions in infrastructure-as-code | High |
| SA-11 — Developer Testing | Security coverage gaps at PR evaluation gate | Medium |
MergeGuide's StateRAMP template maps directly to the NIST SP 800-53 controls required by state authorization programs. Evidence artifacts are compatible with state agency security review processes and support third-party assessor (3PAO equivalent) reviews.
Every PR Gate evaluation generates OSCAL Assessment Results mapped to 800-53 control IDs. These artifacts feed directly into your StateRAMP System Security Plan documentation and satisfy continuous monitoring reporting requirements.
Organizations pursuing both FedRAMP and StateRAMP authorization can use a single MergeGuide policy set for both programs. PolicyMerge resolves any control differences between the two baselines, eliminating duplicate assessment work across federal and state authorization tracks.
See how MergeGuide enforces StateRAMP controls and generates continuous authorization evidence in a live demo.