Who bears the ultimate responsibility for creating and controlling data?

The ultimate responsibility for creating and controlling data lies with the Data Owner. This is because the Data Owner is the individual or entity that has the authority over the data, making decisions regarding its usage, security, and governance. They are responsible for defining access controls, data protection measures, and management policies that align with organizational and regulatory requirements.

While the Data Custodian manages the technical environment where the data is stored, and a System Administrator ensures systems operate effectively and securely, they do not make decisions regarding the creation and control of the data itself. The Cloud Service Provider (CSP) often handles infrastructure and platform services, yet it is the Data Owner who maintains the strategic oversight and accountability for the data's integrity and security. This distinction is crucial for understanding data governance within cloud environments, where definitive roles clarify responsibilities related to data management and protection.