Coalfire Auditor Profile
Coalfire is one of the largest and most recognized cybersecurity advisory firms in the United States, headquartered in Westminster, Colorado. The firm specializes in compliance assessments including FedRAMP, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HITRUST, and CMMC, with particular strength in cloud security and government compliance.
What Coalfire Does Well
FedRAMP expertise is Coalfire's standout capability. As one of the most experienced FedRAMP 3PAOs in the country, Coalfire has assessed hundreds of cloud service providers and understands the nuances of the authorization process better than most firms.
Cloud security focus means Coalfire's auditors are deeply familiar with AWS, Azure, and GCP environments. Their assessments are designed for modern cloud-native architectures rather than traditional on-premises control frameworks.
Cybersecurity advisory integration allows Coalfire to combine compliance assessments with practical security recommendations, helping clients improve their actual security posture alongside achieving certification.
Engagement Process
Coalfire engagements follow a structured approach:
- Scoping and gap assessment — Evaluate readiness and define scope
- Planning — Develop assessment methodology and assign team
- Assessment execution — Test controls, review documentation, conduct interviews
- Findings review — Discuss preliminary results and remediation options
- Final reporting — Deliver assessment report and recommendations
Pricing Expectations
Coalfire's pricing reflects their expertise in complex frameworks. SOC 2 Type II audits start around $25,000. FedRAMP initial assessments typically range from $75,000 to $150,000 or more depending on system complexity.
Who Should Choose Coalfire
Coalfire is the ideal choice for cloud and SaaS companies pursuing FedRAMP authorization, as well as organizations needing multiple government and security compliance frameworks. Their deep cloud security expertise makes them particularly well-suited for technology companies.