scope:

Purpose

DODI 8500.01 requires appointment of an authorizing official (AO) for DOD information systems (ISs) and platform information technology (PIT) systems to ensure all DOD IS and PIT systems under their purview are authorized in accordance with DODI 8510.01. AR 25-2 authorizes the Army Chief Information Officer (CIO) to appoint AOs on behalf of the Secretary of the Army. This pamphlet defines the nomination and appointment process, including the training and certification requirements that an AO must meet prior to nomination, and the AO duties once appointed. AO appointment for systems that process sensitive compartmented information or signals intelligence are outside of the scope of this pamphlet.