What is typically a responsibility of the chief information security officer?

The responsibility of periodically reviewing security policies aligns with the role of a chief information security officer (CISO) as this position encompasses overseeing an organization's information security strategy and practices. The CISO must ensure that security policies remain effective, relevant, and aligned with the organization’s objectives, legal requirements, and evolving security threats.

Maintaining and updating security policies is crucial as it establishes the framework for protecting the organization’s information assets. Regular reviews are necessary to adapt to changes in the threat landscape, incorporate new regulatory requirements, and reflect lessons learned from past security incidents. The CISO plays a central role in leading these reviews, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring that the security policies are communicated, understood, and enforced throughout the organization.

Other options, while related to security and IT governance, do not primarily fall under the responsibilities of the CISO. Executing user application testing tends to be more operational and typically falls on security analysts or teams focused on application security. Granting user access to IT resources is often managed by IT administrators or a dedicated user management team under established policies set by the organization. Approving access to data can involve various levels of management and might be more operational or compliance-oriented rather than a core responsibility of the CISO.