Beyond FedRAMP: How OpenBlue meets the unique workplace needs of government agencies

The emergence of cloud computing in the early 2000s kicked off a transformation in how individuals and businesses access and manage computing resources, laying the groundwork for world-changing innovations like large-scale data analytics and machine learning. Unfortunately, it also created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals were quick to exploit. For federal agencies in the U.S., the haphazard adoption of cloud computing contributed to a surge in reported cyber security incidents, from 5,500 in 2006 to 42,000 in 2010, according to research by Statista.

To address the threat cyberattacks posed to constituents and critical infrastructure, the Office of Management and Budget established the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) in 2011. FedRAMP provides a standardized, risk-based approach to the security assessment, authorization and ongoing monitoring of cloud-based technology products and services. Cloud service offerings (CSOs) must meet FedRAMP’s security, reliability and compliance standards before they can be implemented by government agencies.

Johnson Controls OpenBlue has achieved FedRAMP authorization for two solutions — OpenBlue Workplace and OpenBlue Employee — and several federal agencies have implemented these systems to optimize their workplaces. Lincoln Havens, Johnson Controls OpenBlue Director Global Channel Sales, shared an overview of the procurement and onboarding processes for federal agencies and talked about what makes OpenBlue solutions stand out for these organizations. 

Getting Off on the Right Foot 

While OpenBlue solutions deliver a wide range of benefits, most government agencies are primarily interested in improving efficiency and supporting better decision-making. OpenBlue Employee helps organizations achieve these goals by providing room and desk booking capabilities and easier access to workplace resources, while OpenBlue Workplace enables organizations to manage space, occupancy, assets and workplace services all in one platform. 

The list of features and capabilities these systems offer is long, but every agency has different priorities and needs. That’s why, from the very first discovery call, the OpenBlue team focuses on understanding the agency’s needs, security concerns and processes so they can provide a tailored solution. 

Making Procurement Easy 

This initial learning and assessment stage is a two-way street, and it’s where one of the secondary benefits of achieving FedRAMP authorization comes into play. Because FedRAMP requires a thorough, standardized review of a CSO, it provides agencies with ready-made access to a wealth of vetted technical information. That means they can spend less time gathering details from scratch and proceed more quickly toward making informed procurement decisions. 

In many cases, federal agencies have preferences about how they make purchases. For example, organizations may prioritize small businesses owned by veterans, women or minorities. OpenBlue partners with these businesses in order to satisfy those preferences. OpenBlue also participates in pre-approved buying methods like General Services Administration schedules and Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement contracts to make the purchasing process as smooth as possible. 

“Government customers want to know that we’re focused on them and that their sector is not just an afterthought for us,” said Havens. “They want to know that we understand their business, we know what we’re talking about when it comes to FedRAMP and these contract vehicles, and we can speak their language.” 

Getting Implementation Right

One of the issues that led to the rise in cyberattacks targeting government agencies 20 years ago, and that persists today, is technology underfunding. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for OpenBlue technology to be replacing on-premise software or even spreadsheet-based approaches to processes like managing space utilization data or tracking occupancy. OpenBlue’s modular and flexible solutions make transitioning from outdated technology to modern systems easier. The ability to integrate with a wide range of systems and use APIs to support different data formats is a significant advantage for government clients. 

Convincing users to embrace a new way of doing things is especially challenging when the old practices may have been in place for decades. That’s why the OpenBlue team kicks off training and support long before devices are installed and software is switched on. After all, the benefits of cutting-edge workplace technology can only be realized if people are comfortable using it. 

As implementation progresses, OpenBlue’s client success managers work with clients to ensure they get the most out of their investments. These liaisons help with training, access to resources, and addressing challenges. Keeping these practices accessible and on track encourages adoption among intended users, helping government clients get the most out of the technology and investment. It also allows them to more quickly and easily retire old processes that are not as efficient, effective or secure. 

The work of the client success managers doesn’t end once the system has been switched on. OpenBlue provides ongoing support through a help desk and regular check-ins with clients, including post-implementation business reviews to review tickets, roadmaps and new offerings. Through these reviews and other feedback, system configurations can be adjusted to align with government clients’ changing workflows. 

Security and Reliability are Just the Beginning

Every cloud-based technology solution adds new attack vectors for cybercriminals, making it essential for organizations to ensure the systems they implement include robust cybersecurity. That’s especially true for federal government agencies, which hold vast amounts of personal information and are responsible for managing and protecting critical infrastructure. 

FedRAMP authorization for OpenBlue Employee and OpenBlue Workplace underscores Johnson Controls’ commitment to upholding the highest levels of security and reliability. The OpenBlue team is helping an increasing number of agencies securely access the same trusted workplace technology tools used by the world’s largest organizations to manage, analyze and report on facilities and real estate operations and maintenance. 

Johnson Controls OpenBlue strives to offer agencies a suite of features and capabilities tailored to their needs and priorities, while streamlining the procurement process and establishing an ongoing partnership that ensures they get the most out of their investment.