Glossary¶
AFWERX¶
AFWERX is a U.S. Air Force initiative that operates under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Its mission is to drive innovation by connecting the military with industry and academic partners to develop breakthrough technologies that support national security. AFWERX primarily provides funding and resources to help small businesses conduct research and development. Second Front Systems collaborates with AFWERX to identify and pursue opportunities for bringing cutting-edge technologies into the national security landscape.
Authorization to Operate (ATO)¶
An Authorization to Operate (ATO)—sometimes referred to as Authority to Operate—is formal approval granted by the Department of Defense (DoD) to a system, network, or application. It confirms that the system meets specific security and compliance requirements and is authorized to operate within the DoD environment.
Game Warden expedites the ATO process for commercial applications seeking to operate within the DoD by allowing them to inherit security controls from the platform and automate many compliance tasks. This streamlined approach shortens the ATO timeline, enabling vendors to deliver their software to the government more efficiently.
Agile¶
Agile is a flexible and iterative software development approach that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous customer feedback. Unlike traditional linear methods, Agile breaks work into short, manageable cycles called sprints, allowing teams to quickly adapt to changing needs. Game Warden, a DevSecOps platform by Second Front Systems, supports Agile by streamlining the development process from design to deployment, helping teams deliver secure, responsive software faster.
Annual Assessment (AA)¶
A required yearly security evaluation of a FedRAMP-authorized system to verify that it continues to meet established security and compliance requirements.
AO: Authorizing Official (AO)¶
A senior government official with the authority to formally assume responsibility for the operation of an information system, accepting any associated risks on behalf of the organization.
Certificate to Field (CtF)¶
A Certificate to Field (CtF) is an application-level accreditation that authorizes your application to operate in a specific environment within the Department of Defense (DoD). It enables your application to inherit Game Warden’s Authority to Operate (ATO) and is included as part of your Deployment Passport.
To obtain a CtF, your application must successfully complete the Game Warden onboarding and deployment process. This includes meeting required security and compliance benchmarks, completing automated and manual reviews, and verifying that your application inherits the necessary controls from Game Warden’s authorized environment. Once all criteria are met, a CtF is issued as part of your Deployment Passport, allowing your application to operate within the designated DoD environment.
Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM)¶
The Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM) defines the division of responsibility for implementing and maintaining security controls between the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) and the customer. It ensures both parties understand their roles in maintaining a secure and compliant environment.
Classification of the Work¶¶
The process of identifying the type and sensitivity of the work or data involved to determine the appropriate security measures and controls. Second Front Systems’ Game Warden supports commercial applications across multiple security classification levels.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)¶
CI/CD is a modern development practice that automates software building, testing, and deployment to improve speed and quality. Continuous integration (CI) involves developers frequently merging code into a shared repository, triggering automated tests to catch issues early.
Continuous delivery (CD) builds on CI by automating the deployment of tested code to staging or production environments, reducing manual effort and deployment risk. Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, integrates CI/CD pipelines into its DevSecOps framework to streamline and secure the software delivery process for defense applications.
Cloud Service Provider (CSP)¶
A Cloud Service Provider (CSP) is a third-party company that delivers cloud-based services—such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)—to organizations and users over the internet. When working with U.S. federal agencies, CSPs must undergo security assessments through programs like FedRAMP to ensure their services meet strict government cybersecurity standards.
Cloud Service Offering (CSO)¶
A Cloud Service Offering (CSO) is a specific cloud-based product or service provided by a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) to the U.S. government. Each CSO must undergo a FedRAMP security assessment and receive authorization to ensure it meets federal cybersecurity and compliance requirements before it can be used by government agencies.
Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)¶
An ongoing process used to maintain and improve the security posture of an information system. It involves regularly assessing the effectiveness of security controls, documenting system changes, and reporting the current security state to appropriate stakeholders.
Defense Industrial Base (DIB)¶
The DIB refers to the wide network of companies and organizations that support the U.S. Department of Defense by providing critical goods and services—ranging from technology and manufacturing to logistics and research. Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, helps DIB companies securely deliver software to the DoD by streamlining compliance with strict cybersecurity and regulatory standards. By simplifying this process, Game Warden not only accelerates time to deployment but also strengthens the overall security and reliability of the defense supply chain.
Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN)¶
The DoDIN is the global infrastructure that supports the U.S. Department of Defense’s operations. It includes a wide array of interconnected systems, devices, and communication channels that enable secure information sharing across the DoD and its partners. Game Warden integrates directly with the DoDIN, providing a secure, compliant platform for delivering software within this critical network environment.
Deployment Passport¶
The Deployment Passport is a Game Warden–specific term referring to the collection of security artifacts required to meet Authorization to Operate (ATO) standards. Once signed by a government Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM), the Deployment Passport allows customers to inherit Game Warden’s ATO—enabling authorized deployments to both Staging (STG) and Production (PRD) environments.
DoD PKI user¶
A DoD PKI user is someone who authenticates using a Department of Defense Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) credential—such as a Common Access Card (CAC) or External Certification Authority (ECA) certificate. These smart cards provide secure identity verification and are required to access Impact Level 4 (IL4) or higher environments on Game Warden.
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)¶
FedRAMP is a government-wide program that standardizes how cloud service providers are assessed and authorized for use by federal agencies. It ensures cloud offerings meet strict security and compliance requirements based on the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)¶
FISMA is a U.S. federal law enacted in 2002 (and updated by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014). It establishes a comprehensive framework to protect government information, operations, and assets against natural or man-made threats.
Impact Levels (IL)¶¶
Impact Levels are part of the DoD’s classification system for assessing the sensitivity of information stored or processed in the cloud. They help determine the required security controls based on the potential impact of losing confidentiality, integrity, or availability of that information.
The DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (CC SRG) defines the following levels:
- IL2 – Public or non-critical mission information (typically deployed to unclassified environments such as NIPRNet).
- IL4 – Includes Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), such as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Protected Health Information (PHI), along with non-critical mission information and non-National Security Systems (non-NSS).
- IL5 – Includes higher sensitivity CUI, mission-critical information, and National Security Systems (NSS). IL5 occupies a narrow space between IL4 and IL6 and is distinguished by its authorization to process NSS.
- IL6 – Classified information systems and data classified up to SECRET (typically deployed to classified environments such as SIPRNet or JWICS).
Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, supports secure cloud environments for commercial applications operating at Impact Levels 2, 4, and 5, enabling them to meet DoD security standards without building their own compliant infrastructure.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)¶¶
IaaS is a cloud computing model that delivers core technology resources—such as servers, storage, and networking—over the internet. Because these resources are provided through the cloud, organizations don’t need to buy or maintain physical hardware themselves. Instead, they can access what they need on demand, scale easily, and focus on developing and running applications.
Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, leverages IaaS platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud to offer secure, compliant environments. This allows commercial software providers to deliver applications to the U.S. Department of Defense without the overhead of managing their own infrastructure.
Information System (IS)¶
A structured set of hardware, software, data, people, and processes used to collect, process, store, transmit, or dispose of information to support organizational operations.
Information System Contingency Plan (ISCP)¶
A formal plan that outlines procedures for assessing damage and restoring an information system following a disruption. The ISCP ensures systems can be recovered quickly and effectively to maintain mission-critical operations.
Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)¶¶
JITC is a testing and certification organization within the U.S. Department of Defense. Its mission is to ensure that communication and information systems—such as networks, software, and hardware—can work together securely and effectively. JITC conducts thorough testing to verify that these systems meet DoD standards and function reliably within its complex, interconnected environment.
JSON Web Token (JWT)¶
A JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe token format used to securely transmit claims between parties. In Game Warden, JWTs are issued by Keycloak after a user authenticates via Platform One SSO. The token includes user identity details such as email, roles, and group membership.
JSON Web Key Set (JWKS)¶
A JWKS endpoint is a URL exposed by an identity provider (like Keycloak) that publishes the public keys used to sign JWTs. These keys are used by your application to verify that a received JWT was indeed issued by a trusted source.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)¶¶
MFA is a security practice that requires users to verify their identity using two or more independent methods before accessing a system. These methods typically fall into categories such as:
- Something you know (e.g., a password or PIN)
- Something you have (e.g., a phone or security token)
- Something you are (e.g., a fingerprint or facial recognition)
By requiring multiple forms of authentication, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access—even if one factor is compromised. It is widely used to protect sensitive systems and data from breaches.
Game Warden enhances platform security by enforcing MFA, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access its systems. This added layer of protection helps prevent unauthorized access and safeguards the sensitive software and data it manages for the U.S. Department of Defense.
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)¶¶
The NDAA is a law passed by the U.S. Congress every year to set the budget and policies for the Department of Defense (DoD). As an annual federal law, it provides the legal authority and funding needed to support military operations, personnel, procurement, and cybersecurity initiatives. In addition to allocating resources, the NDAA outlines strategic priorities and updates defense policies to reflect the evolving needs of national security. It plays a critical role in ensuring the DoD has both the direction and the tools required to carry out its mission.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)¶¶
NIST is a U.S. government agency that develops and publishes standards and guidelines to improve cybersecurity, information security, and risk management across both public and private sectors. Its frameworks are widely adopted by federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), to ensure consistent and effective security practices.
Second Front Systems aligns Game Warden with NIST standards to ensure the platform meets rigorous cybersecurity and risk management requirements, supporting secure software delivery to the U.S. government.
National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Risk Management Framework (NIST RMF)¶¶
The NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) is a structured, step-by-step process used by U.S. federal agencies—including the Department of Defense—to manage cybersecurity and information security risks. It provides a standardized approach for selecting, implementing, and monitoring security controls based on the sensitivity of the systems and data involved.
The RMF helps organizations:
- Identify and assess potential risks
- Apply appropriate security measures
- Continuously monitor systems for threats and compliance
By following the RMF, agencies and their partners ensure that systems remain secure, resilient, and compliant with federal regulations throughout their lifecycle.
Other Transaction Authority (OTA)¶¶
Other Transaction Authority (OTA) allows the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out research, prototyping, and production efforts using flexible acquisition methods outside the traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Established to promote innovation, OTA enables the DoD to adopt commercial business practices when awarding agreements.
Other Transactions (OTs) are the agreements issued under this authority. They are commonly used to engage non-traditional defense contractors, such as small businesses, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations. OTs streamline the acquisition process by reducing administrative burdens and bypassing certain FAR requirements, helping the government more efficiently access emerging technologies and capabilities.
OpenID Connect (OIDC)¶
OIDC is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0 that enables clients to verify the identity of end users and obtain their profile information through ID tokens (JWTs). When a user logs in via Platform One SSO, OIDC allows Keycloak to securely issue a JWT that can be consumed by your application for authorization decisions.
Program Management Office (PMO)¶
The FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) is responsible for overseeing and operating the FedRAMP program. It manages the day-to-day activities that support cloud security across the federal government, including:
- Developing and maintaining FedRAMP policies and guidance
- Managing the FedRAMP Marketplace, which lists authorized cloud service offerings
- Supporting federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs) throughout the FedRAMP authorization process
- Overseeing continuous monitoring of authorized Cloud Service Offerings (CSOs) to ensure ongoing compliance
The PMO plays a central role in ensuring the security and consistency of cloud services used by U.S. federal agencies.
Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)¶
A management tool that outlines identified security weaknesses in an information system, along with the corrective actions, timelines, and responsible parties needed to remediate those issues.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)¶¶
PaaS is a cloud computing model that provides developers with a complete environment for building, deploying, and managing applications—without needing to worry about setting up or maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
PaaS typically includes:
- Application hosting and runtime environments
- Development tools such as code editors, version control, and CI/CD pipelines
- Databases and storage
- Security and monitoring tools
- Scalability features to handle growth in usage
By taking care of servers, networking, storage, and system updates, PaaS allows developers to focus on writing code and delivering features—speeding up development while reducing operational overhead.
Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, is a DevSecOps PaaS to support secure software delivery to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) networks. It provides the tools, automation, and compliance controls needed to build and deploy mission-critical applications efficiently and securely.
Provisional Authorization to Operate (P-ATO)¶
A Provisional Authorization to Operate (P-ATO) is an approval granted by the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board (JAB) indicating that a cloud service has successfully completed the FedRAMP security assessment process. While not a full Authorization to Operate (ATO), a P-ATO allows federal agencies to review the assessment results and issue their own ATOs based on the JAB’s provisional authorization.
Readiness Assessment Report (RAR)¶
A document prepared by a Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) that evaluates a Cloud Service Provider’s (CSP) preparedness to begin the FedRAMP authorization process. It identifies potential gaps and confirms that the CSP meets baseline requirements.
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)¶¶
The SBIR program is a federal initiative that supports small businesses in conducting research and development (R&D) to create innovative solutions that meet government needs and have potential for commercial use. The program provides funding in phases, helping small companies move from early-stage research to product development and deployment.
Second Front Systems’ Game Warden aligns well with the SBIR program by offering a secure, compliant platform that helps software-focused projects meet government security requirements. Game Warden provides a streamlined pathway to accreditation, making it easier for SBIR-funded teams to transition their prototypes into operational, deployable solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Security Assessment Plan (SAP)¶
A document that defines the scope, approach, and testing procedures used to evaluate a system’s security controls. It serves as the roadmap for how the security assessment will be conducted.
System Security Plan (SSP)¶
A System Security Plan (SSP) outlines the security requirements for an information system and details the security controls that are implemented or planned. It serves as a foundational document for understanding how the system meets compliance obligations and mitigates risk.
Security Assessment Report (SAR)¶
A detailed report that presents the findings from the security assessment, including control test results, identified vulnerabilities, and recommended remediation actions. The SAR is used by authorizing officials to inform risk-based decisions.
Significant Change Request (SCR)¶
A formal request submitted by a CSP to FedRAMP or the authorizing agency when planning a major system change—such as architectural updates or new service offerings—that could affect the system’s security posture. Approval is required to maintain compliance.
Software as a Service (SaaS)¶¶
SaaS is a cloud computing model in which software applications are hosted centrally and delivered to users over the internet, usually on a subscription basis. Instead of installing and maintaining software on local machines, users access SaaS applications through a web browser—making setup, maintenance, and updates much simpler.
SaaS offers key benefits such as:
- Accessibility from any device or location with internet access
- Automatic updates and patches
- Scalability to support growing user needs
- Cost-efficiency by reducing the need for on-site infrastructure
Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, enables the secure and compliant delivery of SaaS applications to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) networks. By streamlining the deployment process, Game Warden helps software vendors bring cloud-based solutions to DoD environments faster and with less overhead.
Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO)¶
A 3PAO is an independent organization accredited by the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) to assess the security of cloud service providers (CSPs) that want to work with the federal government. These organizations play a critical role in ensuring that cloud services meet federal cybersecurity standards.
Valley of Death¶
This term refers to a common challenge in government procurement and technology development: the difficult transition between early-stage research and development (R&D) and full-scale production or deployment. During this phase, many projects stall due to gaps in funding, resources, or institutional support—despite showing strong promise in the prototype stage. As a result, innovative solutions often struggle to move beyond proof of concept.
Game Warden, developed by Second Front Systems, helps bridge this gap for software projects in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). By providing a secure, compliant platform for deploying software to DoD networks, Game Warden accelerates the path from innovation to operational use—helping vendors overcome the Valley of Death and deliver real-world impact.
Zero Trust¶
Zero Trust is a cybersecurity model based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Instead of automatically trusting users or devices inside a network, Zero Trust requires continuous verification of identity, device status, and permissions before granting access to systems or data. This approach helps prevent unauthorized access and reduces the risk of security breaches.
Second Front Systems applies the Zero Trust model to Game Warden, ensuring that only authorized users, devices, and applications can access sensitive environments. This provides a strong layer of protection for both government and commercial users operating within U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) networks.