Understanding Data Classification: Enhance Security & Efficiency

At a glance

• A master data classification policy defines the rules for how data should be categorized, as well as who has access to sensitive or confidential data. 
• There are four major data classification levels: public, internal, confidential, and restricted.
• Data classification standards like GDPR, NIST 800-53, and ISO 27001 help businesses maintain data integrity and remain compliant with relevant industry regulations.

Table of Contents

• What is a master data classification policy?
• The evolution of data classification
• Data classification levels
• Data classification standards
• Why is data classification important
• Data classification best practices
• Use cases for data classification
• Data classification and data security
• Automating data classification
• Challenges in data classification
• The future of data classification

What is a master data classification policy?

A master data classification policy is a key element of any effective privacy or security program. It defines the rules for how data is categorized and stored, while identifying which departments and personnel have access to sensitive or confidential data.

This policy also sets different security levels for each type of sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized users can access it. Implementing a well-defined master data classification policy is essential for protecting an organization's critical data.

The evolution of data classification

Data classification has significantly evolved over the years. In the early stages, it was a manual process, often prone to errors and inconsistencies due to human involvement. As businesses grew, so did the volume of data, making manual classification impractical and inefficient.

With the surge in data volume, velocity, and variety — often referred to as the '3Vs' of big data — manual data classification processes have become inadequate. This led to the development of automated data classification systems, which leveraged algorithms and machine learning to classify data based on predefined criteria. These systems not only improved accuracy but also significantly reduced the time taken for data classification.

Today, with the advent of big data and advanced artificial intelligence, data classification has become even more sophisticated, capable of identifying sensitive information within complex data sets and applying appropriate security measures.

Data classification levels

Data classification levels are the different categories that data is placed into—depending on its risk and value. In a typical commercial setting, data will be classified as public, internal, confidential, or restricted.

Public data

Public data is freely available and does not require any special security measures. As its name implies, public information can be openly shared with anyone without the need for additional precautions.

Internal data

Internal data is only intended for use within an organization, and can include things like the employee handbook, company policies, and certain company-wide communications. Though it should remain private, if this type of information were to be made public, the repercussions would be minimal.

Confidential data

Confidential data must be kept within the organization and should only be accessed by authorized personnel. It can include information like pricing details, promotional materials, or contact information. If this type of data were to be disclosed, it could damage the company or brand.

Restricted data

Restricted data requires the highest level of protection and access must be limited to necessary personnel. Often protected by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), restricted data can include trade secrets, credit card details, medical records, and personally identifiable information (PII)—which is especially important in the context of privacy.

Data classification standards

Data classification standards are the discrete rulesets that govern how data should be governed across different industries, including:

• Guidelines about what data types belong in each classification level
• Who can access the data
• Necessary security measures like encryption and/or authentication, and
• Procedural information about how and when data is accessed

In the simplest terms, data classification standards exist to help businesses maintain data integrity and remain compliant with relevant industry rules. Though there are several important standards, below we’ll explore how data is classified under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), NIST 800-53, and ISO 27001.

Data classification under GDPR

Classifying data, specifically personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive information, is essential to GDPR compliance. As a refresher, GDPR is the landmark privacy law in the EU, offering consumer data rights to EU citizens and regulating businesses who process consumer data in the EU.

GDPR Article 4 offers a clear, but broad definition of personal data:

Under this definition, personal data includes:

• Phone number
• Physical address
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number
• Social security number
• Credit card information
• IP address
• Bank account
• Location data
• Utility records (sewer, gas, water, electric)
• Work hours or performance
• Biometric data like weight, height, hair color, or fingerprints

Personal data can include information like someone’s name (a direct identifier) or physical characteristics (an indirect identifier). Ultimately, personal data is any information that can identify an individual—whether it’s used independently or in tandem with other data.

Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) play an important role in classifying PII data under GDPR. Completing a DPIA means analyzing all data processing workflows involved in the collection, use, storage, and deletion of personal data.

It also entails assessing the value or confidentiality of the information, as well as potential risks that could occur in the event of a security breach.

These assessments help organizations understand what, when, and where personal data is being processed in order to better respect individual privacy rights. They also help organizations develop and implement measures that protect collected data from accidental or unlawful alteration, destruction, loss or disclosure.

NIST 800-53

NIST 800-53 is a system created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It helps organizations identify which information they are collecting and whether or not it should be protected.

This system is based on three main types of data: public, sensitive, and confidential. Public data is accessible to anyone, while sensitive data requires additional security measures due to its importance. Confidential data requires the highest level of protection as it carries the most risk if it were released or misused.

The NIST 800-53 classification system can help organizations better understand the risks associated with their different data types and ensure that appropriate security measures are put in place.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an information security management system set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It focuses on data classification and provides organizations with a framework for categorizing sensitive data.

Data categorized under the ISO 27001 standard can include intellectual property, customer data, financial records, employee records, personal information, and any other type of confidential or sensitive data.

This data classification framework helps organizations choose appropriate security measures according to data sensitivity and the value of the information they are collecting. It also ensures that companies adhere to both local and international regulations related to protecting personal data and privacy rights.

Why is data classification important

Data classification is important because it helps keep sensitive data secure, decreases the chance of data breaches or misuse, and supports compliance with relevant data protection laws.

A comprehensive data classification policy can increase visibility into how data is being collected and processed, reallocate resources to other strategic projects, and minimize operational risk by ensuring regulatory compliance.

Increase data visibility

Having clear data classification procedures is the first step towards understanding how, when, and why your company is processing personally identifiable information (PII) or sensitive data.

Classification makes it easier to understand what kind of information is being collected, where it's stored, and who has access to it. It also lays a strong foundation for implementing a data privacy compliance program.

Support robust compliance

Creating a data classification policy is essential to promoting a culture of compliance throughout your organization. By clearly defining the sensitivity levels of different kinds of data, you can ensure that confidential and classified information remain secure and protected.

Putting a clear classification policy in place will help your organization comply with any regulatory obligations, avoid penalties, and reduce the chances of costly errors.

Resource savings

Socializing a clear data classification policy makes it easier for employees and technologies to recognize sensitive information quickly. This helps to ensure appropriate security controls are applied, reducing costs in the long run.

Data classification best practices

For organizations who collect and process personal data, implementing a data classification policy is critical for effective data protection and compliance. To ensure the success of your framework, there's a few best practices to follow.

Manage expectations

When introducing a data classification framework, don’t expect to go from 0-100 overnight—this is an iterative process and it’s alright to start small.

Consider the industry you work in and prioritize the data types most likely to be scrutinized by regulators. Build relationships with the team most involved with that data and start applying your framework there first.

Consider your audience

Don’t assume that everyone reading your data classification documentation is a cybersecurity or privacy professional. In fact, it’s safer to assume the opposite. Data classification frameworks should be written with a wide audience in mind—using clear, concise language that marketing, sales, legal, IT, and leadership can understand.

Write straightforward definitions for your levels and be sure to provide real-world examples whenever possible. Avoid jargon, industry-specific acronyms, and overly technical terminology.

If it’s impossible to skip the acronym or industry-term—be sure to include a definition, so it’s easy for everyone to get on the same page.

Avoid unnecessary granularity

Though we outlined only four data classification levels above, some systems include additional levels like classified and top secret. Our advice to you? Only include as many levels as is truly necessary!

The more complex your data classification system is, the harder it will be to implement across your org and the more mistakes there’s likely to be. When deciding how many levels you need, consider:

• Your industry—heavily regulated industries tend to need more data classification
• The effort involved in managing a complex framework
• How an increase in complexity will affect employees at your company—at organizations well-versed with strict security, increased complexity will have a less pronounced effect
• Overall user experience when trying to manually classify various data types

Provide training and clear information

Training is key to successfully implementing a master data classification policy. Try to provide as much information as possible about how to classify data, handle different types of information, and what folks should do if they come across an unfamiliar use case.

Develop a few modules to teach existing employees about classification, and make sure new hires are aware of those resources.

Pull in the right people

For a data classification process to work, you need to make sure you’ve built up enough cross-functional support. IT teams may lead it, but they should also involve privacy and legal stakeholders such as the Chief Privacy Officer and the Office of General Counsel.

Additionally, input from the compliance department, information governance professionals, and communications team can be valuable when rolling out the framework internally.

Use cases for data classification

Data mapping

Data classification is an important part of data mapping because it helps categorize data sets according to their sensitivity and importance. Organizations can more easily identify which parts of the data sets need to be protected and managed, while those with less security requirements can take lower priority.

Data classification provides a basis for organizations to efficiently map out their data landscape, ensuring that all pieces of information remain safe and secure.

Privacy compliance

Data classification also allows organizations to comply with local and international data privacy regulations. This is especially important in today's digital world as many businesses collect and store large quantities of customer information.

By classifying this data according to the level of sensitivity, companies can build robust compliance programs, protect sensitive data, and better avoid expensive non-compliance fines.

Risk management

Data classification is also important when it comes to risk management. By properly assessing the risks associated with different types of data, organizations can ensure they are taking the necessary steps to shore up their data security and protect sensitive data from potential threats.

This helps reduce reputation damage and financial or legal repercussions in the event of a data breach or unauthorized access to confidential information.

Data classification and data security

Data classification plays a crucial role in enhancing data security measures by systematically segregating information based on data sensitivity and significance.

This process allows organizations to apply appropriate security protocols and controls to different categories of data. Highly confidential data, for instance, would require stronger security measures and stricter access controls compared to public or less sensitive data.

By classifying data, organizations can tailor their cybersecurity strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated towards protecting the most sensitive and valuable data. This approach not only improves overall data security, but also aids in compliance with data protection regulations and standards.

Automating the data classification process

Automation has become integral to modern data classification, enabling organizations to streamline and enhance their data management strategies. Automated tools use algorithms and machine learning techniques to automatically categorize data based on predefined criteria. They can efficiently analyze large volumes of data in real-time, reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing overall efficiency.

Technologies shaping the future of automated data classification include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP). These cutting-edge technologies empower automated tools to understand human language, learn from past data categorization, and optimize their classification processes over time.

Furthermore, these technologies support advanced features like semantic recognition and sentiment analysis, offering more nuanced data insights—paving the way for more intelligent, data-driven decision-making.

Challenges in data classification

While data classification can yield significant benefits, organizations often encounter several challenges in implementing and maintaining an effective program:

Complexity and volume of data

The sheer volume and complexity of data that organizations handle can pose significant challenges. Unstructured data, system sprawl, and varied data types exacerbate this issue. Overcoming this challenge requires robust data management strategies and advanced technologies like AI and machine learning for analyzing and categorizing large volumes of data.

Lack of clear policies

The absence of clearly defined policies can lead to inconsistency and errors. Organizations should establish comprehensive policies with well-defined categories, criteria, and roles/responsibilities. Training and awareness programs can help ensure that employees understand and adhere to these policies.

Technological challenges

The rapid evolution of technology can often outpace an organization's ability to keep up, leading to outdated systems that are ill-equipped to handle modern data classification needs. Regularly reviewing and updating technology infrastructure, and adopting automated tools can help mitigate this challenge.

Legal and compliance issues

Organizations often struggle with understanding and complying with the myriad of data protection laws and regulations. Regular audits, legal consultations, and implementing a data classification system aligned with compliance requirements can help manage this issue.

Resistance to change

Implementing a new initiative can be met with resistance from employees due to changes in their work processes. Involving all relevant stakeholders from the outset and providing thorough training can help foster acceptance and support for the initiative.

Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of technology adoption, policy development, and employee engagement. With the right strategies, organizations can successfully navigate these obstacles and reap the benefits of effective data classification.

The future of data classification

As we look towards the future, the data classification landscape is set to evolve driven by advancements in technology and the ever-increasing volume of data.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence will become increasingly integral in automating and improving the accuracy of the data classification process. Techniques such as semantic analysis and sentiment analysis will provide more nuanced insights, enabling a more sophisticated understanding of data.

Data classification will also become more necessary as data privacy regulations continue to tighten, increasing the need for businesses to accurately categorize and protect high sensitivity data. To prepare for this evolving landscape, businesses should invest in advanced, automated data classification tools and ensure their data management strategies are adaptable and scalable.

About Transcend

Transcend is the platform that helps companies put privacy on autopilot by making it easy to encode privacy across an entire tech stack.

From Consent Management, to automated DSR Automation, to a full suite of data mapping solutions (Data Inventory, Silo Discovery, Structured Discovery, Unstructured Discovery, and more), Transcend has you covered as your company grows and evolves in a swiftly changing regulatory environment.