CISSP Asset Security Practice Question
Which role is ultimately accountable for the classification of data within an organization?
⚠ Common exam trap
CISSP often tests the confusion between accountability (data owner) and execution (data steward/custodian) — candidates pick the role that does the work rather than the one that is ultimately answerable.
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
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Data owner
The data owner is the senior manager or business leader ultimately accountable for the data's classification, protection, and use. They hold the authority and responsibility for deciding how data is categorized (e.g., public, internal, confidential, restricted) based on its sensitivity and business value. Accountability cannot be delegated to custodians or stewards, who execute the owner's decisions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Data steward
Why it's wrong here
A data steward is primarily responsible for ensuring the quality, integrity, and consistent application of data within their domain, adhering to established policies and standards. They focus on maintaining data accuracy, completeness, and ensuring that data is handled according to its *assigned* classification level. However, the steward's role is to manage and oversee data quality and policy adherence, not to make the initial strategic decision regarding the data's classification.
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Data custodian
Why it's wrong here
The data custodian is responsible for the technical implementation and maintenance of security controls to protect data assets. This includes operational tasks such as data storage, backup, access provisioning, and ensuring the physical and logical security of the data systems. While custodians safeguard data according to its classification, their role is purely operational and technical; they do not possess the authority or business context to determine the data's sensitivity or its classification level.
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Data processor
Why it's wrong here
A data processor is typically an external entity or department that processes data on behalf of a data controller (the organization that owns the data). Their responsibilities are strictly defined by contractual agreements and instructions from the controller, focusing on executing specific data operations as directed. The processor has no inherent authority or accountability for determining data classification levels, as this strategic decision rests entirely with the entity that dictates the purpose and means of processing.
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Data owner
Why this is correct
The data owner holds ultimate accountability for the data's protection, value, and proper usage throughout its entire lifecycle. This includes the critical responsibility of determining the data's classification level based on its sensitivity, criticality, and potential business impact if compromised or misused. They are the primary decision-maker regarding how data should be categorized and protected, and they accept the residual risk associated with its handling and security measures.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Incident Response and Business Continuity
Key term
Data owner
A senior-level person who is accountable for the classification, protection, and appropriate use of a specific set of data within an organization.
Key term
Accountability
Accountability is the security principle that ensures actions and identity are linked so that a person or system can be held responsible for their activities.
About these practice questions
One of 816 original CISSP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.