Episode 2 — Essential Terms: Plain-Language Glossary
Clarity with core terminology speeds every step of a FedRAMP effort. This episode defines the terms you will hear in meetings, read in templates, and see on exam questions, phrased in plain language and tied to their purpose. We differentiate an authorization boundary from system environment details, explain what “information system component” means in practice, and translate control “parameters” into the adjustable dials you must set. You will learn how FIPS 199 categories drive impact levels, how “inheritance” reduces duplicated work, and where “external services” and “interconnections” fit. We also demystify the alphabet soup around SSP, SAR, POA&M, RAR, and ROE, showing how each artifact answers a specific review question. The aim is not memorization for its own sake but a working vocabulary that helps you read requirements accurately and write evidence that is easy to verify.
We then apply that vocabulary in small, realistic scenarios. When someone asks for the “baseline,” you will know whether the conversation is about NIST control sets, FedRAMP tailoring, or tool configuration policies. When a reviewer requests “boundary diagrams,” you will understand what must be depicted to demonstrate isolation, data flows, and trust relationships. And when a 3PAO discusses “evidence sufficiency,” you will translate that into screenshots, configuration exports, approvals, and timestamps that prove implementation, not just intention. We close with guidance on keeping a living glossary in your project workspace, aligning terms with templates, and resolving conflicts early so documentation remains consistent across teams and release cycles. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
