CUI Compliant
0 NIST 800-171 gaps detected. FedRAMP authorized at Moderate impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
Smartsheet Government
by Smartsheet
FedRAMP Status
FedRAMP Authorized
Impact Level
Moderate
Category
Project Management
Authorized: May 12, 2020 | Sponsor: Department of Energy
Overview
Smartsheet Government is a FedRAMP Moderate authorized work management and project tracking platform. It provides spreadsheet-style project management with government-grade security controls.
CUI Risk Assessment
FedRAMP authorized at Moderate impact level. Approved for CUI handling in DoD environments.
Using Smartsheet Government in a Defense Contractor Environment
Smartsheet Government serves as a critical project management platform for defense contractors handling CUI categories including technical specifications, contract deliverables, program schedules, and contractor performance assessments. Within CMMC Level 2 authorization boundaries, Smartsheet Government typically resides in the cloud enclave boundary as an authorized SaaS service, requiring proper data flow documentation in the authorization boundary diagram. The platform's FedRAMP Moderate authorization provides the necessary security controls baseline, but contractors must implement compensating controls including data classification labeling within project sheets, user access reviews every 90 days, and CUI handling procedures that align with NIST 800-171 requirements. DCMA/DIBCAC assessors specifically examine how contractors configure project permissions, validate CUI markings in shared workspaces, and ensure proper user provisioning/deprovisioning procedures. Recent DCMA reviews have flagged contractors for inadequate access controls when using shared project templates and insufficient audit logging of CUI modifications. The platform's integration capabilities with other government-approved tools like Microsoft 365 GCC High create additional assessment focus areas around data flows and API security. Contractors must demonstrate proper configuration of Smartsheet Government's advanced security features including conditional access policies, data loss prevention rules, and integration with their enterprise identity management systems to maintain CMMC Level 2 compliance.
Deployment & Architecture
Deployment Model: Government Cloud (FedRAMP boundary)
Smartsheet Government operates within a FedRAMP-authorized boundary. CUI can be processed within the authorization scope, but contractors must verify their specific use case falls within the system's security boundary as documented in the SSP.
Implementation Guide
Defense contractors implementing Smartsheet Government for CUI environments should plan a 12-16 week phased deployment starting with authorization boundary documentation updates and SSP modifications. Phase 1 (weeks 1-4) involves updating the authorization boundary diagram to include Smartsheet Government as an approved SaaS service, modifying the SSP to document data flows and security controls inheritance, and establishing CUI handling procedures specific to project management workflows. Phase 2 (weeks 5-8) focuses on user provisioning aligned with role-based access controls, configuring conditional access policies integrated with existing identity providers, and implementing data classification procedures for project sheets containing CUI. Phase 3 (weeks 9-12) includes comprehensive user training on CUI marking requirements within Smartsheet environments, establishing audit logging and monitoring procedures, and conducting initial compliance validation testing. Final phase (weeks 13-16) involves ISSO certification, documentation of compensating controls in POA&M entries, and preparation for CMMC assessment. Implementation costs range from $45,000-$85,000 including FedRAMP authorized instance licensing ($25,000-$40,000 annually), professional services for configuration and training ($15,000-$25,000), and compliance documentation updates ($5,000-$20,000). Organizations must budget additional costs for ongoing compliance monitoring tools and quarterly access reviews to maintain authorization.
Configuration Checklist
- 1ISSO shall update the authorization boundary diagram to include Smartsheet Government as an approved SaaS service within the cloud enclave boundary per NIST 800-171 SC-7 requirements.
- 2System administrator must configure Smartsheet Government conditional access policies integrated with enterprise identity provider to enforce multi-factor authentication per NIST 800-171 IA-2(1).
- 3ISSO shall modify the System Security Plan (SSP) to document Smartsheet Government's security controls inheritance from FedRAMP authorization and identify contractor-implemented controls per DFARS 252.204-7012.
- 4Contracts officer must establish CUI handling procedures specific to Smartsheet project templates and shared workspaces per DFARS 252.204-7021 requirements.
- 5System administrator shall implement role-based access controls within Smartsheet Government aligned with principle of least privilege per NIST 800-171 AC-6.
- 6ISSO must establish audit logging procedures for CUI modifications in Smartsheet projects per NIST 800-171 AU-2 requirements.
- 7Training coordinator shall conduct user training on CUI marking requirements within Smartsheet environments and proper data handling procedures.
- 8ISSO shall document compensating controls for shared workspace security in POA&M entries addressing NIST 800-171 AC-3 implementation gaps.
- 9System administrator must configure data loss prevention rules within Smartsheet Government to prevent unauthorized CUI exfiltration per NIST 800-171 SC-7(10).
- 10ISSO shall establish quarterly user access reviews for Smartsheet Government accounts to ensure continued authorization per NIST 800-171 AC-2(1) requirements.
Compliance Cross-References
Smartsheet Government's FedRAMP Moderate authorization directly supports NIST 800-171 control families including Access Control (AC) through role-based permissions and conditional access integration, System and Communications Protection (SC) via encrypted data transmission and boundary protection, and Audit and Accountability (AU) through comprehensive activity logging. The platform's compliance status satisfies DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for adequate security and DFARS 252.204-7021 cybersecurity training documentation through user activity audit trails. For CMMC Level 2 assessments, Smartsheet Government impacts the Access Control, Audit and Accountability, and System and Information Integrity domains, requiring assessors to validate proper configuration of user permissions, audit logging, and data protection measures. The FedRAMP authorization provides inherited controls that map to specific NIST 800-171 requirements, reducing contractor implementation burden while requiring proper documentation of control inheritance in the SSP. Non-compliance scenarios would create findings in AC-2 (Account Management), AC-3 (Access Enforcement), AU-2 (Audit Events), and SC-13 (Cryptographic Protection) control families, potentially impacting overall CMMC Level 2 certification.
Other FedRAMP Authorized Project Management Tools
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smartsheet Government FedRAMP authorized?
Yes. Smartsheet Government holds FedRAMP Moderate authorization for work management and project tracking.
Can I use Smartsheet Government with CUI?
Smartsheet Government is authorized at Moderate and can be used for project management involving CUI at that impact level.
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