ATO (Authorization to Operate)

An Authorization to Operate (ATO) is an official approval given by a senior authority signifying that a system or software has met all necessary security and compliance requirements to operate safely within an organization. It ensures that potential risks have been assessed and managed appropriately. Essentially, ATO acts as a formal credential that permits a system to be used in a production environment, confirming it adheres to security standards and is trustworthy for handling sensitive data.