How can you use data classification to improve your cybersecurity framework?

1 What is data classification?

Data classification is the process of assigning labels or tags to your data based on predefined criteria, such as the type, source, owner, purpose, or confidentiality of the data. Data classification helps you organize your data into different levels of sensitivity, such as public, internal, confidential, or restricted. By classifying your data, you can apply appropriate security controls, policies, and procedures to protect it from cyberthreats.

2 Why is data classification important?

Data classification is important for several reasons. First, it helps you comply with legal and regulatory obligations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), that require you to protect the personal or sensitive data of your customers, employees, or partners. Second, it helps you optimize your data storage, backup, and recovery strategies, by prioritizing the most critical and valuable data. Third, it helps you reduce your cybersecurity costs, by focusing your resources and efforts on the data that needs the most protection. Fourth, it helps you enhance your data quality, accuracy, and usability, by ensuring that your data is consistent, reliable, and relevant.

3 How to implement data classification?

To implement data classification, you need to follow a systematic and consistent approach that involves four main steps. First, you need to define your data classification criteria and categories, based on your business objectives, legal obligations, and risk assessment. Second, you need to inventory and map your data sources, locations, and flows, to understand where your data is stored, how it is accessed, and how it is transferred. Third, you need to assign labels or tags to your data, using manual or automated methods, such as metadata, encryption, or software tools. Fourth, you need to monitor and audit your data classification process, to ensure that it is up to date, accurate, and effective.

5 What are the best practices for data classification?

Data classification is not a one-time activity, but a continuous and dynamic process that requires regular review and update. To ensure your data classification is effective and efficient, involve stakeholders in defining and implementing criteria and categories. Educate employees, contractors, and partners on the importance of data classification, and their roles in protecting it. Automate the process with software tools that scan, label, and classify data based on rules and policies. Integrate data classification with other governance and management processes such as data quality, security, privacy, and lifecycle management. Additionally, review and update your data classification regularly to reflect any changes in your business environment or legal requirements. Data classification is an essential part of your cybersecurity framework that helps identify, organize, and protect your data from cyberattacks. By following the best practices outlined here, you can improve your cybersecurity framework and enhance your data governance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?