Classifying data is the process of organizing information into clearly defined categories and subcategories in order to make it easier to access and manage. A successful classification scheme should be comprehensive, flexible, and secure so that businesses can effectively keep track of their data—and protect it from potential risks.
The first step in creating a successful classification system is to identify what types of data need to be classified. Data can come from both structured sources (such as customer databases) or unstructured sources (like employee emails). Once the types of data have been identified, then each type can be categorized according to its level of sensitivity or importance.
For example, sensitive customer data such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers would need tighter security measures than less sensitive information like mailing addresses. Similarly, mission-critical operational documents might require more stringent protocols than documents with less relevance to daily operations. It’s important to take into consideration exactly how each type of data will be used when deciding which category it belongs in; this will help ensure that the right protective measures are taken for each type of document or dataset.
Suggest a scheme for classifying data. What are each of the categories and what types of information would go into each category? What is the actual risk that may be associated with the loss of information in this category?
Based on these criteria, an example categorization scheme could include four primary categories: Public Data, Internal Use Only Data, Highly Confidential Data and Restricted Access Data. The following table outlines what information would go into each one:
Category | Types Of Information | Risk Associated With Loss Of Information | |
———————————————|————————|—————————————————————————————|
Public Data | Customer contact info | Low risk – This kind of information does not contain any confidential details | |
Internal Use Only Data | Employee records | Low risk – This kind of information does not contain any confidential details | ||
Highly Confidential Data | Financial Statements | High risk – Unauthorized access may lead to financial losses due to fraud or identity theft| || Restricted Access Data | Intellectual Property Records | Medium risk – Unauthorized access may lead to loss of competitive advantage due to trade secret violations
Once all necessary data has been identified and categorized according to its level of sensitivity, a set of procedures should be established for accessing and managing this information securely—including policies concerning who has permission view/edit different levels/types on the database . These rules should also extend beyond just access control; they should also include things like encryption protocols for particularly sensitive data (like financial statements) along with provisions for regularly auditing user accounts within the database over time in order detect anomalies quickly if they do occur.. Additionally , backups should also be created routinely so that there is always a copy available if something happens unexpectedly . By taking these precautions , companies can minimize the risks associated with mishandling their most valuable asset -their customers’ personal identifiable information- while still being able maintain productivity levels throughout organization .