Understanding Threats and Vulnerabilities in Government Cybersecurity
In cybersecurity, especially in the public sector, clarity matters. Terms like “threat” and “vulnerability” are often used interchangeably, but they...
In this month’s Committee Corner, we’re excited to feature Siddique Chaudhry, Sr. Manager of Global Public Sector Compliance at Snowflake and a dedicated advisor on the GovRAMP Standards & Technical Committee. With over a decade of experience in federal compliance frameworks like NIST 800-53, FISMA, and FedRAMP, Siddique has been instrumental in guiding compliance efforts that impact both public and private sector cybersecurity. His work with the CJIS-Aligned Task Force and on developing Rev. 5 compliance guidance showcases his commitment to strengthening cybersecurity standards across the board. In this spotlight, Siddique shares the benefits of joining a GovRAMP committee, the rewarding experiences he’s had so far, and his vision for the committee’s impact on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
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I have found working with the Standards & Technical Committee to be incredibly rewarding. Bringing together compliance leaders to streamline processes has been inspiring. I’m proud to be part of a group that’s making compliance more efficient and comprehensive. Opportunities such as contributing to the CJIS-Aligned Task Force have been invaluable, creating real impact for the broader cybersecurity community.
In addition to my expertise with NIST 800-53, FISMA, and FedRAMP, I bring over a decade of experience in federal compliance frameworks. My background includes leading a Cloud Service Provider from its early stages to becoming an enterprise-level organization, achieving multiple authorizations across FedRAMP, IRAP, and DoD IL4.
As a member of the committee, I have been given the opportunity to provide feedback on new guidance before it’s released to the public, which has been an invaluable learning experience. I’ve also been invited to conferences where I’ve met other industry leaders dedicated to advancing cybersecurity standards. Collaboration and access to emerging insights have been incredibly rewarding.
Our committee has made significant contributions, including creating and developing guidance on how specific Rev 5 controls apply to GovRAMP baselines. These efforts have made it easier for organizations to align with compliance requirements, ultimately strengthening cybersecurity practices across the board.
Looking ahead, I envision the Standards & Technical committee continuing to provide timely guidance as compliance evolves—especially as emerging areas like AI begin to shape the landscape. Our goal is to ensure that both private and public sector GovRAMP members have access to the latest standards and practical resources, helping them stay ahead in a rapidly changing field.
I would encourage anyone interested in learning more about GovRAMP governance to join webinars, attend conferences, and meet the GovRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) team. The staff is very welcoming and ready to help you throughout the application and engagement process. With the growth of the program, I believe there will be even more opportunities for participation, which makes it the ideal time to get involved.
The official publication of the Rev. 5 templates and resources was one of the most rewarding experiences. As we watched our committee’s feedback be incorporated into the final documents, we saw the tangible effects of our efforts, demonstrating our commitment to improving compliance standards.
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