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

The Authorizing Official (AO) is the specific individual with the authority to formally accept the residual risk associated with the operation of an information system and issue an Authorization to Operate (ATO). This role holds the ultimate accountability for the system's security posture.

An Information Owner (IO) is responsible for the data within a system but does not typically have the authority to formally accept overall system residual risk for the organization.

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for the overall information security program and advises the AO, but the AO is the one who authoritatively accepts the risk for the system.

While an AO can delegate some responsibilities, the fundamental authoritative acceptance of residual risk for an ATO is inherently with the AO themselves, maintaining clear accountability.