A senior (federal) official or executive with the authority to oversee and establish guidance for the strategic implementation of cybersecurity and risk management within their mission areas (i.e., the warfighting mission area (WMA), business mission area (BMA), enterprise information environment mission area (EIEMA), and DoD portion of the intelligence mission area (DIMA) as defined in DoDI 8115.02). Source: DoDI 8500.01 (adapted)
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A senior (federal) official or executive with the authority to oversee and establish guidance for the strategic implementation of cybersecurity and risk management within their mission areas (i.e., the warfighting mission area (WMA), business mission area (BMA), enterprise information environment mission area (EIEMA), and DoD portion of the intelligence mission area (DIMA) as defined in DoDI 8115.02). Source: DoDI 8500.01 (adapted)
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Principal Authorizing Official (pao). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/principal-authorizing-official-pao
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