What does ATO stand for in an authorization context?

In the context of authorization, ATO stands for "Authorization to Operate." This term is critical in information security and risk management, especially within the framework of federal information systems. The ATO is a formal declaration by a designated official that authorizes an information system to operate based on the acceptance of security risks associated with its operation.

Achieving an ATO is a vital part of the Risk Management Framework (RMF), as it demonstrates that the system has undergone extensive security assessments and has met all applicable security requirements and controls. Once granted, the ATO allows the system to be used for specified operations, while also setting conditions for ongoing security assessments and compliance.

The other choices, while they may resemble the ATO acronym, do not accurately represent its widely accepted definition in the context of information security. For instance, "Authorized Technical Officer" is not a commonly recognized term and does not encompass the full scope of the authorization process, while "Automatic Technical Outcome" and "Assessment to Oversee" do not relate to the process of gaining operational authorization for information systems. Understanding the ATO concept is essential for maintaining secure and compliant operations within any organization that handles sensitive data.