- A
Data custodian
Why wrong: The data custodian implements controls but is not accountable for classification decisions.
- B
Data subject
Why wrong: The data subject is the individual to whom the data pertains, not responsible for classification.
- C
Data steward
Why wrong: The data steward focuses on data quality and metadata, not classification accountability.
- D
Data owner
Correct. The data owner is accountable for classification and ensuring compliance with policy.
Question 84 of 1,000
CISSP Asset Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of asset security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A government contractor handles classified information up to the Secret level. The company's data classification policy recently changed, requiring that all documents marked as 'Confidential' be reclassified as 'Secret' after review. Who is ultimately accountable for ensuring that reclassification is performed correctly?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data owner
The data owner is the senior-level manager accountable for data classification and protection. They have the authority and responsibility to assign classification levels and ensure data is properly classified.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Data custodian
Why it's wrong here
The data custodian implements controls but is not accountable for classification decisions.
- ✗
Data subject
Why it's wrong here
The data subject is the individual to whom the data pertains, not responsible for classification.
- ✗
Data steward
Why it's wrong here
The data steward focuses on data quality and metadata, not classification accountability.
- ✓
Data owner
Why this is correct
Correct. The data owner is accountable for classification and ensuring compliance with policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Asset Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Asset Security — This question tests Asset Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Data owner — The data owner is the senior-level manager accountable for data classification and protection. They have the authority and responsibility to assign classification levels and ensure data is properly classified.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.
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