Node A6 · Acronym decoder
ATO
Authority to Operate
What it actually means
The formal cybersecurity approval that lets a system run on a government network, granted by an authorizing official after reviewing the system's security posture under the Risk Management Framework. Getting and keeping an ATO is frequently the pacing item for fielding software; "continuous ATO" approaches try to make it an ongoing pipeline property instead of a periodic paperwork event.
Where you'll meet it
Any system touching a DoD or federal network; a schedule risk register regular.