Senior official with authority and responsibility for all intelligence systems within an agency. Rationale: PAA was used in both the IC and the DoD, but with the publication of ICD 503, the IC no longer uses the term PAA. Within the DoD, the transition to the RMF changed the term to principal authorizing official (PAO). See principal authorizing official (PAO).
Understand more election terms clearly
Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.
Senior official with authority and responsibility for all intelligence systems within an agency. Rationale: PAA was used in both the IC and the DoD, but with the publication of ICD 503, the IC no longer uses the term PAA. Within the DoD, the transition to the RMF changed the term to principal authorizing official (PAO). See principal authorizing official (PAO).
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Principal Accrediting Authority (paa) (c.f.d.). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/principal-accrediting-authority-paa-c-f-d
Sources
01
Single-source
Get the weekly election term
Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.