Who is generally responsible for the security of a specific system?

The Information System Owner is generally responsible for the security of a specific system. This role encompasses not only the oversight of the technical details of information security practices but also the accountability for ensuring that the system meets relevant security requirements and compliance standards. The owner is tasked with defining security policies and making important decisions about security measures, risk management, and system functionality.

While roles like the Information System Security Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Information Security Architect play critical parts in broader organizational security frameworks, they typically provide guidance, support, and oversight rather than taking direct responsibility for a specific system. The ISSO focuses more on implementing and managing security measures rather than being held accountable for compliance and security outcomes. The CIO oversees the entire IT infrastructure and can be involved in strategic decision-making but does not usually manage specific systems directly. Meanwhile, the Information Security Architect designs security systems and infrastructure but again does not hold direct responsibility for specific systems.

By understanding these distinctions, it becomes clear that the Information System Owner is the individual who primarily bears the responsibility for the security posture of a specific system within an organization.