An accountability framework in cybersecurity is a structured approach that defines, assigns, and manages responsibilities for security-related decisions, actions, and outcomes across an organization. It establishes clear mechanisms to ensure that individuals, teams, and departments are answerable for their specific roles in protecting information assets, mitigating cyber risks, and upholding security policies and controls.

This framework is essential for effective governance, compliance, and privacy initiatives, as it delineates who is responsible for implementing security safeguards, adhering to regulatory requirements (such as GDPR or HIPAA), and protecting sensitive data. By articulating expectations for risk management, incident response, and data privacy practices, an accountability framework promotes transparency through defined reporting structures, performance metrics, and corrective action processes—ultimately enhancing organizational resilience and providing a clear audit trail for demonstrating compliance with internal policies and external obligations.