AQ'S Corner

If cybersecurity were a kitchen, the Information System Owner (ISO) would be the head chef, and the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) would be the health inspector. They both care deeply about the food (or in this case, data security), but they have different jobs to do.

Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense—because let’s face it, cybersecurity titles can sound like someone just threw a bunch of letters into a blender and hoped for the best.

The ISO: The Head Chef of Cybersecurity

The ISO is like the head chef running a restaurant. They own the kitchen (aka the information system), decide what gets cooked (what systems and applications are used), and ensure that everything operates smoothly. They are responsible for making sure the restaurant (organization) is successful while also following general safety and quality guidelines.

In other words, the ISO:

• Makes big decisions about the system, like what ingredients (technologies) to use.
• Approves or denies new recipes (security controls) based on their impact on the business.
• Hires and manages staff (other IT personnel) to make sure everything works efficiently.

The ISSO: The Health Inspector of Cybersecurity

The ISSO, on the other hand, is like the health inspector who visits the restaurant. They don’t own the place, but they make sure it’s up to code and not serving expired sushi. They enforce the rules and ensure that the restaurant is meeting all food safety (cybersecurity) regulations.

The ISSO:

• Checks for violations (security risks and vulnerabilities).
• Ensures compliance with regulations (NIST, RMF, FISMA, etc.).
• Documents security measures (like writing reports on why that firewall is as important as washing your hands before handling food).

Who’s Really in Charge?

That’s the fun part. The ISO might be the boss in the kitchen, but if the ISSO finds something out of compliance, they can shut things down (or at least make life very difficult). The ISSO is the one waving a clipboard saying, “Hey, you can’t store passwords in plaintext!” while the ISO groans, “But it’s easier that way!”

The Perfect Team (or Recipe for Disaster?)

When the ISO and ISSO work together, magic happens. The restaurant serves great food that won’t make customers sick, and the organization runs secure systems that won’t make security auditors cry. But if they clash, well… let’s just say no one wants to eat at a restaurant where the chef ignores food safety.

So, next time you hear someone talking about an ISO and an ISSO, just remember: one is making the food, the other is making sure it won’t send everyone to the ER. And together, they keep the cybersecurity kitchen running safely!