Mobile security solution designated FedRAMP Ready

Lookout, Inc.’s mobile security solution has achieved a designation indicating it is likely to be authorized by the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, the company announced Thursday.

Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security achieved FedRAMP Ready status, company Vice President of Federal Bob Stevens wrote in a blog post. And he said it’s the first mobile security solution to do so.

“Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security provides government technology and security leaders with visibility into mobile risks and threats to sensitive government data,” Stevens wrote.

Being FedRAMP Ready signals the provider is likely to get a provisional authorization to operate, or P-ATO, via the Joint Authorization Board or an authorization to operate by an agency, according to a FedRAMP blog post. This process allows the government to assess the providers’ capabilities before they go through a lengthy documentation process to get certified.

According to a Lookout survey, half of the federal government’s employees access work email from a personal device and nearly half use a personal device to download work documents.

“Another 40 percent of employees at agencies with rules prohibiting personal smartphone use at work say the rules have little to no impact on their behavior,” Stevens wrote.

He added: “Mobile devices are flying under the radar, meaning government CIOs and CISOs don’t know what is accessing private data and where that data is going. We’re excited to make it one step easier for federal agencies to implement mobile security technology necessary to keep risks at bay and data safe.”