Due to the increased occurrence of data breaches in recent years, organizations have begun taking a stronger initiative in ensuring the security and proper management of information data. The potential of having confidential information unlawfully accessed or systems entirely breached seems unavoidable, however, this threat can be greatly mitigated by making an effort to thoroughly assess, classify, and manage data through the implementation of data classification.
The classification of data is a highly effective tool utilized to create tighter security controls as well as increase efficiency in organizations. This process involves analyzing data contained within your organization, and then proceeding to categorize that data based on the level of confidentiality and risk.
A data classification policy is necessary to firmly establish guidelines for security-related handling of company information and data. The policy should clearly state each level of data, the descriptions for each level, and the proper handling of each data type. By implementing this kind of policy to manage company data, an organization's ability to protect the accessibility and confidentiality of the information assets it possesses is greatly improved.
Determining the proper levels of classification is a crucial step in determining the security of information assets through the data classification process. Organizations can use basic levels of classification, such as public, internal, and confidential levels, as well as create unique levels based on the individual needs of the organization.
Along with these classification levels, it is necessary that each level be accompanied by criteria that clearly define the type of information assets belonging to each level. By clearly defining each classification level, organizations can differentiate between the low- and high-risk data types, as well as greatly reduce the potential mishandling or leaking of confidential information.
When an organization chooses to classify information in a lower tier, such as "public," the criteria for this level is any data that is not considered confidential and would not impact the organization if it were made public. Marketing documents, such as brochures, are types of information that many organizations would classify as public. These type of documents would not have strict handling procedures since they are likely already available to the public.
The classification level of "internal" would establish that any information in this level is meant for internal use only and could pose moderate damage or inconveniences to the organization if it is accessed unlawfully. Company policies, operating procedures, and licensing information are all types of information that an organization may choose to label as internal. The handling of internal information may be limited to only those employed by the organization.
Labeling information assets as "confidential" states that unauthorized access of these types of data would be high risk and catastrophic to an organization. Confidential information assets may consist of network information, employee records, customer financial information, and other high-risk data types. The handling of confidential information may be restricted to employees based on position and abilities within the organization.
Data classification not only helps organizations develop stronger security controls on information assets, this process also ensures that the organization is complying with regulatory standards. When classifying information, it is important to understand that there are certain data types that require a confidential level of classification. Bank account information, protected health information, personally identifiable information such as social security numbers, and payment card information are all examples of regulated electronic data that require compliance from all organizations who possess these types of information assets.