Who has statutory and operational responsibility for the information within an organization?

The Information Owner holds statutory and operational responsibility for the information within an organization because this role is directly accountable for determining who can access the information and how it can be used. The Information Owner is responsible for establishing the data classification and ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the information. This includes the creation of policies and guidelines that govern the handling and protection of that information.

In this context, the Information Owner has the knowledge of the value and sensitivity of the information and is best positioned to make decisions regarding its management, usage, and protection. This role typically involves overseeing compliance with relevant laws and regulations affecting the information, as well as ensuring that organizational policies are enforced. By having this responsibility, the Information Owner plays a critical role in the organization's overall information security posture.

Other roles, such as the Authorizing Officer, Senior Information Security Officer, and Information System Security Engineer, have important responsibilities but do not specifically hold the overall accountability for the information itself. They may support or assist, but the Information Owner is the key figure in maintaining the organization's data governance and stewardship.