# Security Governance
One-sentence definition: The framework of leadership, structures, and processes that ensure security supports business objectives and manages risk.
## Key Facts
- Aligns security strategy with organizational goals and legal obligations.
- Establishes policy hierarchy and assigns **accountability** to roles (e.g., data owner).
- Uses risk management to prioritize investments and control selection.
- Requires measurable objectives, metrics, and reporting to leadership/board.
- Governance ≠ management: set direction vs. execute operations.
- Integrates with enterprise governance (e.g., COBIT, COSO—see Part B).
- Culture and ethics are governance enablers (tone from the top).
- **Verify:** check official (ISC)² CBK and current exam outline.
## Exam Relevance
- Identify governance vs management decisions.
- Choose governance artifacts (policies, roles) for given scenarios.
**Mnemonic:** “Direct, Decide, Delegate” → governance sets direction; managers deliver.
## Mini Scenario
Q: Who owns acceptable risk levels for a business unit system?
A: The business/data owner, as part of governance.
## Revision Checklist
- Define governance; contrast with management.
- Name two governance inputs and two outputs.
- Identify the accountable role for risk acceptance.
## Related
[[Governance vs Management]] · [[Security Policy Hierarchy]] · [[Security Roles and Responsibilities]] · [[Risk Management Lifecycle]] · [[Compliance and Regulatory Concepts]] · [[Domain 1 - Index]]