A large corporation has just completed an audit by a Certifying Authority who determined that they are compliant. What will the Certifying Authority award the corporation?

The correct answer is that the Certifying Authority will award the corporation a Certification. In the context of cybersecurity and compliance, a Certification signifies that an organization has met specific standards or requirements, as determined by the Certifying Authority. This validation is crucial as it provides assurance to stakeholders, customers, and regulatory bodies that the organization follows established security practices and is committed to maintaining them.

In particular, compliance audits are often a prerequisite for obtaining certification, wherein the Certifying Authority assesses the effectiveness of the organization's security controls, policies, and procedures. Upon successfully passing the audit, the Certifying Authority issues certification, thereby officially recognizing the organization's compliance status.

While terms like ATO (Authorization to Operate) and Accreditation are relevant in cybersecurity, they have different implications. An ATO indicates that a system has been authorized to operate in a specific environment based on assessed risks, while Accreditation refers to a formal declaration that a system or organization meets all required standards for operation. A POAM (Plan of Actions and Milestones) is a document that outlines how an organization plans to address any deficiencies identified during an audit, not a certification itself. Thus, after passing the audit, the corporation is awarded Certification, confirming its compliance with the established standards.