In regards to information classification what is the main responsibility of information (data) owner?

A.
determining the data sensitivity or classification level

B.
running regular data backups

C.
audit the data users

D.
periodically check the validity and accuracy of the data

Explanation:
The data owner (information owner) is usually a member of management who is in charge of a specific
business unit, and who is ultimately responsible for the protection and use of a specific subset of information.
The data owner has due care responsibilities and thus will be held responsible for any negligent act that results
in the corruption or disclosure of the data. The data owner decides upon the classification of the data she is
responsible for and alters that classification if the business need arises. This person is also responsible for
ensuring that the necessary security controls are in place, defining security requirements per classification and
backup requirements, approving any disclosure activities, ensuring that proper access rights are being used,
and defining user access criteria. The data owner approves access requests or may choose to delegate this
function to business unit managers.
Incorrect Answers:
B: Running regular data backups is the job of the data custodian, not the data owner.
C: It is not the job of the data owner to audit the data users.
D: Periodically checking the validity and accuracy of the data is the job of the data custodian, not the data
owner.

Harris, Shon, All In One CISSP Exam Guide, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2013, p. 121