As an innovative developer of software designed for Public Housing Authorities (PHA), Emphasys shows its commitment to the industry through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program’s (FedRAMP) High Authorization recognition of their hosting platform. This is the top honor available through FedRAMP. High Authorization is a marker of secure, industry-leading systems that are appropriate for the most sensitive data. Learn more about FedRAMP’s High Authorization as well as how Emphasys can help your PHA remain secure.


What Is FedRAMP High Authorization?

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program focuses on standardizing security measures for cloud-based data storage used by government entities. Poor data security, digital crime, and hacking all pose a major threat to today’s society. Government agencies of all sizes, from municipal to federal, have been the unfortunate targets of cybercrime. FedRAMP aims to secure our information with regulation, oversight, and robust standards.


FedRAMP’s High Authorization recognizes safe practices used for the most sensitive data. This category of data includes high-stakes information often associated with law enforcement, emergency response, finance, and public health. However, High Authorization information includes any system where the loss of data integrity, access, or confidentiality will cause adverse effects for either operations, assets, or citizens. Public Housing Authorities work with private, sensitive information and as such, are covered by the High Authorization umbrella.

Why Do Public Housing Authorities Need High Security?

On the most basic level, PHAs require high digital security because they work with personal and financial information. Most PHA clients must provide Protected Personal Information (PPI) to receive services. This personal data must be kept safe to protect clients from potential identity theft and fraud. PHAs handle financial transactions including paying rents, providing stipends, and issuing grant awards. Both incoming and outgoing accounts could be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

PHAs also carry out vital strategic projects that impact local infrastructure and quality of life. Lost or deleted data can put projects on hold. If hackers alter or change PHA information, work can be sabotaged. This poses a threat to both immediate and long-term security.

Finally, PHAs are uniquely vulnerable due to the political realities of operation. Many PHAs struggle for funding, always wanting to accomplish more than the budget allows. These agencies may receive budget cuts or lapses in funding during times of economic hardship. As a result, PHAs are often pressured to stretch their budget to the limit, accomplishing more with less. Information technology upgrades may be put off due to financial reasons. Unfortunately, this exposes PHAs to increased cyber risk.

What Does High Authorization Mean To Emphasys?

Emphasys is dedicated to providing safe, secure, and robust software solutions to Public Housing Authorities across the country. FedRAMP’s High Authorization is a welcomed validation of the range of products and services Emphasys makes available via our hosting platform. This recognition allows Emphasys to provide a timely response in the event your agency suffers a cyberattack. 

Thanks to cloud-based software, Emphasys offers its clients security and peace of mind should hackers breach their defenses. Cloud solutions allow for constant, reliable system backups. If your PHA is brought down by a ransomware attack, Emphasys can help restore full operations within days instead of weeks. Cloud systems also help you ensure your recovered data is valid.

The FedRAMP High Authorization of our cloud hosting software means that Emphasys is fully prepared to manage your agency’s most sensitive data. If your local PHA doesn’t already use a secure cloud-based system, it’s time to move to a higher level of security. An Emphasys software solution can protect your agency, your clients, and your community from the growing threat of cybercrime.