When an authorization to operate (ATO) is issued, which of the following roles authoritatively accepts residual risk on behalf of the organization? Response:

An Information Owner is responsible for the data within a system but does not have the authority to accept the overall operational risk for the system.

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) advises on security posture and risk but does not typically hold the final authority to accept residual risk for an ATO, which rests with the AO.

The Authorizing Official (AO) is the senior management official with the overall responsibility for an information system and has the specific authority to formally accept the residual risk associated with its operation. When an ATO is issued, the AO makes the final decision that the security controls are sufficient and the remaining risks are acceptable to the organization, thus authorizing the system's operation.

While an AO can designate a representative, the primary responsibility and authoritative acceptance of residual risk ultimately rests with the AO, as per most RMF guidelines. The question asks for the role that authoritatively accepts it, which is the AO.