Knox Joins OpenPolicy to Accelerate Government Access to Cutting-Edge Software and AI

February 2025

The Stark Reality: Thriving Commercial SaaS vs. Sparse Government Options

The commercial SaaS ecosystem is booming. Major platforms like AWS Marketplace, Microsoft AppSource, Salesforce AppExchange, and SAP Store each host thousands of applications—10,000+, 7,000+, 7,000+, and 3,000+, respectively.

Meanwhile, the FedRAMP Marketplace, the U.S. government’s centralized repository for approved cloud software, lists just 370 apps. The contrast is stark: while enterprises and small businesses benefit from a vast array of software solutions, federal agencies are left with limited options, burdened by slow approval processes and high barriers to entry.

The FedRAMP Bottleneck: A $3M Price Tag and Years of Waiting

For SaaS companies looking to enter the government market, the FedRAMP certification process is a major roadblock. Compliance can cost upwards of $3 million and take up to 3 years to complete. The complexity, expense, and long timelines have made government sales inaccessible to all but the largest players, leaving agencies starved of modern software solutions.

This is the problem Knox Systems set out to solve.

Solving FedRAMP for Ourselves—Then for Others

Years ago, we faced this exact challenge. Our SaaS business was thriving in the commercial sector when a major federal agency expressed interest. But there was a catch: we needed FedRAMP certification. With a price tag exceeding $3 million and an uncertain timeline, it seemed out of reach.

Instead of going the traditional route, we found a faster, more cost-effective solution. By leveraging an existing FedRAMP cloud and optimizing the compliance process, we achieved certification in just six months at a fraction of the cost. This breakthrough unlocked contracts with key federal agencies and financial institutions, doubling our revenue.

Seeing the demand from other SaaS companies struggling with the same barriers, we knew we had to take this solution beyond our own company. Knox Systems was born.

Introducing Knox Systems: FedRAMP in Months, Not Years

Knox Systems provides FedRAMP-as-a-Service, enabling SaaS companies to enter the government market at 90% of the cost and in a fraction of the time compared to traditional certification paths.

Our approach removes the complexity, accelerates approval, and allows software providers to focus on what they do best—building and selling great products. With Knox, companies can bypass the multi-year compliance nightmare and start selling to federal agencies in as little as 90 days.

Why This Matters

The government urgently needs access to the same cutting-edge technology that powers the private sector. Yet, with only 370 approved apps compared to the tens of thousands available commercially, federal agencies are left with outdated tools and limited choices.

By breaking down the barriers to FedRAMP certification, Knox Systems is opening the floodgates for innovation in the public sector. SaaS companies no longer have to sit on the sidelines—Knox empowers them to serve the government quickly, affordably, and compliantly.

If your SaaS company is looking to unlock the $100B+ federal market, Knox Systems is your fastest path forward. The time for government SaaS is now—let’s build it together.

We’re proud to announce that Knox Systems has joined the OpenPolicy ecosystem, a coalition of forward-thinking companies including Wiz, Kiteworks, Armis, and others working to drive innovative cybersecurity, AI and government acquisition policies

As the AI revolution accelerates, the federal government faces a pivotal moment: adopt faster, smarter technologies or risk falling behind.Modernization is no longer a long-term goal. It’s an urgent priority. Agencies need secure, compliant pathways to adopt commercial innovation, especiallyAI-driven solutions, without years of red tape. Innovators and policy makers need to work closely together.

“AI is reshaping every industry, and the public sector is no exception,” said Irina Denisenko, CEO of Knox. “Knox exists to make it easy for innovative SaaS and AI vendors to serve government missions securely and at speed. JoiningOpenPolicy allows us to align our development and GTM to emerging policy and advance that mission alongside other leaders committed to driving thoughtful cybersecurity policies and getting cutting-edge tech into the hands of agencies who need it most.”

“The government can’t afford to get left behind in the AI era,” said Amit Elazari, CEO of OpenPolicy. “Knox brings deep FedRAMP and infrastructure expertise to the network, helping commercial companies overcome the compliance and procurement hurdles that have long slowed public sector innovation.”

Together, Knox and OpenPolicy are:

●     Unlocking access to secure, compliant cloud infrastructure for AI and SaaS

●     Helping federal buyers adopt commercial innovation faster

●     Enabling a more efficient, mission-driven government powered by modern tools

This partnership is a leap forward for government IT, and a step closer to making AI and advanced software truly accessible across the public sector.

Learn more at knoxsystems.com and openpolicy.co.