The GV.OC-01 subcategory emphasizes the importance of aligning an organization’s cybersecurity risk management efforts with its overarching mission. It ensures that leaders and stakeholders have a clear understanding of the mission—whether it’s delivering services, producing goods, or advancing research—so that cybersecurity strategies directly support these goals. By anchoring risk management to the mission, organizations can prioritize resources and efforts to protect what matters most, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

This alignment helps identify risks that could derail mission-critical operations, such as data breaches or system downtime, and fosters a proactive stance toward cybersecurity. It encourages the dissemination of mission objectives across the organization, often through vision statements or strategic plans, to ensure all levels understand how their roles contribute to both mission success and security. Ultimately, GV.OC-01 establishes a foundational link between purpose and protection, guiding risk decisions with clarity and intent.