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From Prototype to ATO

Executive Literacy for Startups in the DoD Innovation Ecosystem — Cohort Program

This 10-week virtual lecture series helps innovation-based startups understand the Department of Defense Authorization to Operate (ATO) process. The course provides practical, operational guidance on navigating RMF requirements, preparing for authorization pathways, and communicating security readiness to government stakeholders.

Live Zoom Cohort Begins January 15, 2026
Weekly on Thursdays • 2:00 PM EST • 75 minutes per session

Deadline to Register: January 5, 2026
Participation is selective to ensure a high-quality learning experience, with additional applicants assigned to a waitlist.

Submit Your Application

Presented in Partnership With

10-Week Schedule

The course is grounded in conceptual rigor, practical structures, and mission-aligned decision frameworks.

Jan 15: Innovation Meets Regulation

Why ATO matters for transition, funding, and mission trust.

Jan 22: RMF Foundations for Nontraditional Vendors

Demystifying categorization, baselines, and scalable documentation.

Jan 29: DevSecOps & Supply Chain Security

How pipelines, SBOMs, and build integrity support ATO evidence.

Feb 5: Automation & Continuous Validation

How automation platforms contribute to measurable, auditable risk validation.

Feb 12: Civilian vs DoD vs IC Pathways

Understanding FedRAMP, DoD RMF, and IC RMF differences and reciprocity.

Feb 19: Cloud Inheritance & Zero Trust

Leveraging FedRAMP/Platform One inheritance and applying Zero-Trust overlays.

Feb 26: Authorization Decisions & cATO

Continuous monitoring, dashboards, and sustaining authorization.

Mar 5: AI Systems & Dual-Use Ethics

AI governance, explainability, and emerging oversight requirements.

Mar 12: Securing an ATO Sponsor

Engaging AOs, building trust, and communicating mission-relevant risk.

Mar 19: The ATO Pitch

Building the executive narrative for transition and funding boards.

Program Deliverables

RMF Lifecycle & Categorization Worksheets

Practical templates outlining Categorize → Select → Implement → Assess → Authorize → Monitor, tailored for startup environments.

ATO Pathway Reference Sheets

Concise summaries comparing FedRAMP, DoD RMF, and IC RMF authorization routes and reciprocity options.

Secure Pipeline & SBOM Guidance

Clear references showing how DevSecOps pipelines, SBOMs, and code provenance contribute to authorization evidence.

Cloud Inheritance & Zero Trust Templates

Visual aids and worksheets for documenting inherited controls and mapping Zero Trust overlays to RMF control families.

Continuous Monitoring Dashboard Examples

Sample metrics and dashboard layouts used in cATO environments to demonstrate operational authorization readiness.

AI Oversight & Risk Management Tools

Templates for evaluating model explainability, data provenance, and dual-use risk within ATO expectations.

Stakeholder & Sponsor Mapping Frameworks

Structured models to identify mission owners, AOs, assessors, and engagement strategies across the DoD ecosystem.

A 5-Slide “Path to ATO” Pitch Deck Framework

A lightweight, executive-ready format for communicating system categorization, inheritance, automation strategy, and sponsorship readiness.

Resources, Guidance, and Community Support

Participant Access Materials

All students receive weekly digital handouts, worksheets, and references to reinforce each session’s topic.

Guided Learning Workflow

Each session includes structured examples, live Q&A, polls, and optional exercises designed to build cumulative understanding.

Community Support Channel

Participants may join a cohort discussion space for questions, shared insights, and coordination throughout the 10-week program.