C. Data protection officer is the role that is most likely to have direct access to the senior management team. A data protection officer (DPO) is a role established under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with data protection laws and regulations. The DPO is required to report to senior management and has direct access to them to ensure that data protection policies and procedures are followed and that the organization is in compliance with applicable regulations. The data custodian is responsible for the storage, maintenance, and protection of data, but typically does not have direct access to senior management. The data owner is responsible for the data itself, including determining who has access to it, but also does not necessarily have direct access to senior management. The data controller is responsible for ensuring that data is processed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but may not have direct access to senior management in all organizations.

Data owner is a senior or executive role. So, it should be Data controller here.

Data owner: This role holds legal responsibility and accountability for a specific data set or area. They make key decisions about data usage, access, and protection, often requiring close communication and alignment with senior management.

Data owner is a senior management role, which makes DPO the right answer.

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) would most likely have direct access to the senior management team. The DPO is responsible for overseeing data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with data protection laws and regulations. They act as a point of contact between the company and any Supervisory Authorities that oversee activities related to data. So, option C is the most appropriate choice.

According to CompTIA All in One Exam guide: "The GDPR brings many changes—one being the appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO). This role may be filled by an employee or a third-party service provider (for example, a consulting or law firm), and it must be a direct report to the highest management level. The DPO should operate with significant independence, and provisions in the GDPR restrict control over the DPO by management."

In the Official COmpTIA Security + Student Guide the data owner is a senior ( executive ) role. So ...i think A is the most logical answer.

A data protection officer (DPO) (a.k.a. data privacy officer [DPO]) is a company executive tasked with the responsibilities of crafting the company data protection and privacy policy, implementing that policy, and overseeing its operation and management.

I think B is more likely because aren't data owners usually senior positions? or need to report to the senior management for communication purposes? please correct me if i am wrong

Per Messer, Data Owner: Accountable for specific data, often a senior officer.

B. Data owner

C. Data protection officer

B. Data owner

Further consideration - Data Controller – same as data owner when a true data owner does not exist. Data Owner - the administrator/CEO/board/president of a company. Data owner/Controller almost synonymous. Data Custodian – the role within the processing entity (IT department) that handles the data daily. A DPO typically reports to your senior management team and is essential to guiding data privacy strategic implementations. a DPO should not report to a direct superior (rather than top management) https://edps.europa.eu/data-protection/data-protection/reference-library/data-protection-officer-dpo_en

Data Owner

So, when faced with a question that doesn’t provide additional context or specifies a particular regulatory framework, selecting the DPO as the role with direct access to senior management for data protection issues is a sound choice in alignment with GDPR principles. This ensures compliance with the regulations and reflects the role’s responsibilities as defined by GDPR.

Confuse question, but whether I have to choose one answer, I would Data Protection Officer.