Creating a Data Classification Policy

Implementing Data Classification Policy

Before deploying and implementing a data loss prevention product, the company should have a data classification policy in place. An employee cannot manually decide which data is sensitive and how it is to be handled to perfection. To professionally handle this data classification issue, users need to depend on administrative controls or technical controls. This is mostly handled using a data protection software.

A data classification policy provides a way to ensure sensitive information is handled according to the risk it poses to the organization. All sensitive handled, needs to marked according to the level of RISK associated with it. This label should help determine the way the data needs to be handled. For instance, the storage methods, encryption levels, transmission methods and disposal techniques.

In business, it’s common to use at least three risk classification levels to label sensitive information: public, business use only and confidential.

• Public classification

The public classification label applies to information that is available to the public and intended for distribution outside an organization. This information may be freely distributed without risk of harm. Any information that is produced for public consumption — such as news releases, job announcements, and sales brochures, pamphlets, marketing data — are good examples.,

• ‘Business use only’ classification

The “business use only” classification label applies to information that is intended to be only used in business processes. Unauthorized disclosure, modification or destruction of this data is not expected. This could lead to seriously affect the organization, customers, employees or business partners. Any information that is used in routine business matters such as internal policy manuals and company phone lists are good examples.

• Confidential classification

The confidential classification label applies to information that is used in sensitive business processes. The unauthorized disclosure, modification or destruction of which will adversely affect an organization, its customers, employees or business partners. Examples of sensitive information include intellectual property, contract negotiations, most personnel matters, personally identifiable information, protected health data, bank account numbers and payment card information of customers and employees.

• Secret classification

Some organizations add an additional level, such as “secret” or “highly confidential” to label extremely sensitive information business processes. The unauthorized disclosure, modification or destruction of would seriously harm the organization, its customers, employees or business partners. Examples include documents used in mergers, strategic plans, and litigation.

• Making distinctions

Classification labels, such as “personal confidential” and “business confidential” can be used in these instances.

 

Instead of focusing on implementing one huge policy it is sensible and advised to break up the policy into minor doable processes and implement the policy. Provisions to support these policies would be defining standards, controls, procedures, and guidelines associated with these policies. these should be integrated with encryption policies towards protecting sensitive data, storage and access rights for employees and business associates should be allocated. there should be ways to upgrade and downgrade the classification associated with certain information. organizations should also implement auditing methods towards its data classification policies and procedures.