Authority to Operate

Authorization To Operate (ATO) 

An Authorization to Operate (ATO) is critical in government cybersecurity. As organizations strive for more agile and secure software deployment, understanding what is required for an ATO is extremely important. In this short guide, we’ll explore the key aspects of ATO and its significance in maintaining security and privacy standards, as well as take a brief look at continuous Authority to Operate.

What Is an ATO Authority To Operate?

An Authorization to Operate is a formal declaration within federal agencies that an information system, including a software project, is secure and meets the necessary standards to operate on a specific network. The ATO process thoroughly evaluates a system's security protocols and risk management strategies. Obtaining an ATO signifies that the system complies with agency or organization requirements to effectively protect sensitive data and mitigate potential vulnerabilities that could compromise the system or broader network. 

Note: ATOs are often colloquially referred to as an “Authority to Operate.” The technical term is “Authorization to Operate.” This guide will occasionally use the colloquial term in addition to the technical phrase.
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What Is the ATO Process?

ATO process steps are synonymous with the Risk Management Framework (RMF), a set of guidelines federal agencies,  e.g. the Department of Defense, use to manage and mitigate risks to their information systems. To be exact, ATO is an output of the RMF. The RMF outlines seven key steps to evaluate and authorize systems:

Note: This list is a high-level overview of the seven-step RMF process—multiple steps in each section must be completed. More information is available on NIST’s website or when working with an experienced partner like Rise8.

1. Prepare: Identify key roles, establish a risk management strategy, and determine a context and priorities for managing security and privacy risk for the organization and systems. 
2. Categorize: Conduct an analysis of the impact of loss on the system and information it processes, stores, and transmits. 
3. Select: Based on the categorization and risk assessment, select an initial set of  security controls and tailor them as necessary to further reduce risk. 
4. Implement: Apply selected controls and document their use on the system and within the operating environment.
5. Assess: Conduct an independent assessment of the implemented controls to verify their functionality and effectiveness in mitigating risks.
6. Authorize: The Authorizing Official (AO) reviews the assessment results and associated documentation, including, but not limited to, the System Security Plan (SSP), Security Assessment Report (SAR), and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M). The AO then determines whether the system can operate at an acceptable level of risk.
7. Monitoring: Conduct regular assessments, updates, and monitoring to ensure system compliance and address any emerging threats.

An ATO indicates a system has passed a thorough evaluation and is authorized to operate within specified conditions for a period of time, typically three years. During this period, there is a requirement for ongoing monitoring to maintain system compliance. At the end of the period, the organization’s system must undergo a full reauthorization process. If the RMF process reveals unmitigated vulnerabilities, the AO may grant an ATO with conditions, outlining the risks an organization must address within a given timeframe.

What Is an ATO From the DOD?

The Department of Defense (DOD), like other federal agencies, requires ATOs to ensure a system can protect sensitive information and perform its intended functions without exposing the network to unacceptable levels of risk. The ATO meaning in a government context requires the application of the seven-step Risk Management Framework to grant permission for systems to operate on the DOD’s network. Achieving an Authority to Operate for DOD includes extensive assessments and documentation to ensure a thorough review of all aspects of the system’s security.

The DOD's approach to ATOs is essential to safeguard national security information and ensure defense systems are resilient against evolving threats, but the traditional ATO requires a point-in time security check of controls that repeats for major updates or when the authorization expires. The traditional process does not support near real-time changes to address changes to technology or emerging threats.

What Is an ATO in Cyber Security?

In the realm of cybersecurity, an ATO signifies that an information system has passed rigorous security evaluations and has authorization to operate on a network. Obtaining an ATO in a cybersecurity context involves a comprehensive review of the system's security controls, vulnerability management, and risk mitigation strategies. It ensures that the system is equipped to handle potential cyber threats and operates in a secure manner, thereby protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the data it processes. The seven-step RMF process to obtain an ATO is integral to maintaining a robust security posture and ensuring ongoing compliance with relevant security standards and regulations​. The ATO meaning in a business context is no different.

Who Provides the Authorization To Operate?

In a federal agency context, an Authorizing Official (AO) grants an Authorization to Operate. The AO is a senior official, responsible for evaluating and accepting the security risks associated with an information system. This individual ensures the system meets all necessary security requirements and mitigates potential risks to an acceptable level before deployment. The process involves thorough documentation and rigorous assessment to verify that the system is secure and complies with the agency's cybersecurity policies​. 

In practical terms, the AO has the critical decision-making role of determining whether a system is fit for operational use on the agency’s network. This involves assessing the technical aspects of the system and ensuring that it aligns with the agency's broader security and risk management strategies. By granting an ATO, the AO formally authorizes the system to operate, signifying that it is secure and capable of protecting sensitive data​. 

What Is DATO in the Authority To Operate Process?

In the context of government and military systems, DATO stands for Denial of Authorization to Operate —a formal decision from the Authorizing Official (AO) that a system has too many risks or vulnerabilities for operation. The AO’s decision is based on a comprehensive review of the system’s security posture.

The DATO decision means the system has unacceptable risks, such as high or very high-risk findings, which the AO deems an organization cannot mitigate to an acceptable level. Consequently, a DATO prevents the deployment of a new system or requires operations to cease for an existing system. This measure ensures that systems posing significant security risks do not jeopardize the broader network or the sensitive data they handle. It underscores the commitment to maintaining rigorous security standards and protecting the integrity of information systems in the government and military sectors​.

What Is the Purpose of the ATO?

The primary purpose of an Authorization to Operate is to ensure an information system meets specific security standards and has an acceptable level of risk to operate on a network. The risk management process to obtain an ATO emerged from efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure. This process can help identify and mitigate vulnerabilities that could compromise the system or the data it handles.

What Are the Functions of an ATO?

The primary functions of an ATO include: 

• Risk Management: The process to obtain an ATO evaluates and mitigates security risks to ensure the system operates safely.
• Compliance: It confirms that the system meets all federal security standards and regulations.
• Deployment Authorization: The ATO grants permission for the system to deploy on government networks.
• Continuous Monitoring: It requires ongoing assessments and updates to maintain the system's security.
• Incident Response: The ATO establishes protocols for managing and mitigating security incidents.
• Documentation: It ensures the maintenance and regular review of comprehensive security documentation.

Operational Integrity: The ATO verifies the system can operate securely and effectively.

Are There Downsides to the ATO Process? 

While the risk management process to obtain an Authorization to Operate helps ensure security and compliance of information systems, it does come with certain drawbacks. One significant downside is the length and complexity of the traditional approach. Obtaining an ATO often involves extensive documentation, rigorous assessments, and multiple layers of review, which can lead to substantial delays in system deployment. For government agencies, this may result in delays to mission-critical operations or disruption to the delivery of services. Additionally, the static nature of traditional ATOs is limiting. ATOs are typically valid for a fixed period of three years, requiring periodic reauthorization at the end of the period or when a system requires major updates. This can create a cyclical burden of re-evaluation that lacks the speed and security necessary to address changes in technology or cyber threats. 

Is There an Alternative to Authority To Operate (ATO)?

While there is no alternative to the Risk Management Framework, the RMF is very flexible and encourages implementing the framework according to your needs and abilities. So yes, there are alternatives to the traditional way we approach the ATO. A popular alternative involves moving to an ongoing authorization tailored for continuous delivery, often referred to as continuous Authority to Operate (cATO). Unlike the traditional ATO, which provides a one-time, time-bound approval, cATO is a dynamic, ongoing authorization process within RMF designed to expedite software development and delivery without sacrificing security. This approach is better suited for mission-critical environments that require rapid, frequent software updates while maintaining a high level of security. cATO integrates Agile and DevOps methodologies with the existing RMF, revolutionizing traditional practices by emphasizing continuous assessment and improvement. Rise8 is at the forefront of continuous Authorization to Operate, pioneering its application in federal settings. By employing strategies for continuous delivery, Rise8 helps organizations deploy secure, compliant, and timely software. Our approach to continuous authorization reduces the need for repeated, time-consuming reauthorizations under the traditional ATO framework. This allows for more agile and responsive operations, better aligned with the fast-paced demands of modern cybersecurity.

Achieve Mission Impact With Rise8

The risk management process to obtain an Authorization to Operate is essential for ensuring the security and compliance of information systems within government networks. However, the traditional ATO framework can be slow and cumbersome, often delaying critical software deployments. Rise8’s approach to continuous authorization offers a transformative alternative. Rooted in the Risk Management Framework, our approach allows for faster, more secure software delivery, ensuring systems remain compliant and resilient against evolving threats.

Embracing cATO with Rise8 isn’t just about meeting compliance requirements; it’s about revolutionizing the speed and safety of software delivery. By partnering with Rise8, agencies and companies can transform their software development processes, ensuring that every deployment is swift, secure, and capable of meeting the dynamic demands of modern cybersecurity. Rise8 leads the way in this innovative approach, offering a comprehensive continuous ATO playbook that provides step-by-step guidance on effectively implementing cATO. This playbook covers everything from organizing teams and developing communication strategies to leveraging automation and continuous monitoring. With our expertise and support, organizations can navigate the complexities of cATO, achieving faster deployment times without compromising security. Explore our continuous ATO playbook today and join the movement towards a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software.