Splunk Executive Mary Lou Prevost Named to StateRAMP Standards & Technical Committee

In today’s quest to build a digitally resilient data environment, state and local governments must ensure they embed security and observability strategies into their planning. Securing sensitive data is a top priority for state and local government entities, but maintaining digital resilience is imperative. According to Deloitte's 2023 Cybersecurity Threat Trends Report, the most prevalent malware attack type in 2023 was ransomware — affecting 66% of organizations — with a significant increase in IoT malware attacks across various industries, particularly targeting the manufacturing sector; this surge in IoT malware attacks saw a 400% rise compared to previous years. As this challenge grows, SLED (state, local, and educational) governments are seeking standardized, approved systems that effectively address these challenges. Enter StateRAMP—a vital framework swiftly gaining recognition as a benchmark for secure best practices in government operations.

StateRAMP stands for the State Risk and Authorization Management Program, and it serves as an essential tool for SLED entities looking to streamline vendor security requirements. StateRAMP’s mission is to promote cybersecurity best practices through education, advocacy, and policy development to support its members and improve the cyber posture of state and local governments and the citizens they serve. This standardized approach allows providers serving state and local governments to verify their security posture and prove their cybersecurity compliance to their government clients. Essentially, it guards against the potential pitfalls of outdated and insecure security measures by providing a standardized approach to evaluating the safety of applications and services. By reinforcing the idea that security should never be an afterthought, StateRAMP establishes a culture of continuous improvement to protect data that belongs to everyone—citizens and governments alike.

Understanding the importance of these standards, we actively work to communicate the value of StateRAMP to our clients and partners. I am thrilled to see Mary Lou Prevost, our GVP of State, Local and Higher Education be selected as an Advisor Member to the StateRAMP Standards & Technical Committee. This specialized team is tasked with developing best practices and promoting StateRAMP’s significance within the industry. This team's goal is to foster a strong relationship between government and industry, where both parties collaborate to enhance security measures and develop effective strategies for data management. The Standards & Technical Committee recommends the baseline requirements and policies that govern StateRAMP’s security program.

As leaders in data management, we at Splunk take our commitment to digital resilience extremely seriously. Splunk proudly received StateRAMP certification in June 2023, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to SLED institutions and giving our customers additional confidence in using Splunk’s secure solutions. This achievement not only demonstrates Splunk’s adherence to stringent security standards but also illustrates our dedication to protecting the data entrusted to us by public sector organizations at all levels.

FedRAMP-certified SLED organizations all share a common goal: to implement secure, reliable systems for managing sensitive information. By embracing StateRAMP certification and its principles, we not only enhance our services but also contribute to a broader effort to standardize security across the sector.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to the core values that underpin our commitment to SLED. We will continue to advocate for best practices in data security and strive to ensure that security is ingrained in every aspect of our operations. Together, we can create a safer, more secure public data environment that prioritizes transparency and accountability.

StateRAMP is not just a certification; it’s a foundation for building trust and security in the public sector. As we navigate the complexities of data management in an increasingly digital world, industry and government must continue working together to ensure that our collective responsibility to protect sensitive information remains a priority for everyone involved. StateRAMP is well-positioned to move us toward these important goals. Learn more about how to build a foundation of cyber resilience with Splunk products.