What is Responsibility?

Understanding Responsibility

Obligation for doing something. Can be delegated. Responsibility is the obligation to perform assigned tasks and duties within specified parameters. In security contexts responsibilities define who must perform specific security activities implement controls or fulfill security requirements. Unlike accountability responsibility can be delegated to others. Clear responsibility assignment is required by frameworks like ISO 27001 NIST SP 800-53 COBIT and various governance standards. Organizations implement responsibility through formal role definitions job descriptions RACI matrices delegation procedures and performance management. For example a large enterprise might implement a structured responsibility model for security where the CISO has overall responsibility for the security program but delegates specific responsibilities such as vulnerability management access control administration and security monitoring to specialized teams with clearly documented tasks performance metrics and reporting relationships. Related terms Accountability Authority Delegation RACI matrix Role definition Security governance Job description Separation of duties.