Blackboard Secures FedRAMP Moderate Certification

The U.S. federal government awarded the Software as a Service (SaaS) deployment of Blackboard Learn — Blackboard  Inc.’s flagship learning management system (LMS) — FedRAMP Moderate. This authorization makes Blackboard one of the only commercial off-the-shelf SaaS providers authorized in AWS GovCloud (US) as an Educational LMS. This newest authorization follows on the heels of Blackboard Learn's FedRAMP Tailored (Li-SaaS) authorization awarded in 2018. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), a longstanding Blackboard partner, has sponsored both FedRAMP authorizations.

Earlier this year, Blackboard also achieved Amazon WebServices (AWS) Government Competency status. This designation recognizes thatBlackboard possesses deep domain expertise in security and compliance and workswith government customers to deliver mission-critical solutions on AWS.Blackboard is the only LMS provider to receive this Government Competency.

"We're thrilled to receive FedRAMP Moderateauthorization and the AWS Government Competency, as both underscore ourcommitment to ensuring federal and non-government clients are operating in aSaaS-based online learning environment that adheres to the most rigorous safetyand security requirements," said Bryna Dash, Vice President of North AmericaGovernment at Blackboard. "The certifications enhance our ability tosupport government agencies in their effort to accelerate cloud adoption andmeet their unique missions, especially now, with the increased reliance onremote collaboration and learning due to COVID-19."

FedRAMP Moderate certifies that Blackboard has passed thefederal risk management process defining standard security requirements for allCloud Services Providers (CSPs). In addition to guaranteeing the highest levelsof security, the certification offers clients across all sectors significantcost and time saving benefits. Blackboard received a Moderate-level authorityto operate (ATO) at the NGA in September 2019. Since that time, and in parallelwith the final phase of the FedRAMP PMO review process, Blackboard has alsocompleted its assessment phase in pursuit of Impact Level 4.