Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Classifying Data

Understand the considerations and criteria for classifying data.

Throughout this chapter, we have discussed various aspects of protecting information assets. When we talk about risk analysis and management, we talk about the most cost-effective way of protecting the information asset. Part of setting the level of risk associated with data is placing it in a classification. After data is classified, a risk analysis can be used to set the most cost-effective ways of protecting that data from various attacks.

Classifying data is supposed to tell you how the data is to be protected. More sensitive data, such as human resources or customer information, can be classified in a way that shows that disclosure has a higher risk. Information data, such as those used for marketing, would be classified at a lower risk. Data classified at a higher risk can create security and access requirements that do not exist for lower risks, which might not require much protection altogether.

Commercial Classification

Classification of commercial or nongovernment organizations does not have a set standard. The classification used is dependent on the overall sensitivity of the data and the levels of confidentiality desired. Additionally, a nongovernment organization might consider the integrity and availability of the data in its classification model.

There is no formula in creating the classification system—the system used is dependent on the data. Some organizations use two types of classification: confidential and public. For others, a higher granularity might be necessary. Table 3.4 contains a typical list of classifications that can be used for commercial organizations, from highest to lowest.

Table 3.4 COMMERCIAL DATA CLASSIFICATIONS FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST

Classification

Description

Sensitive

Data that is to have the most limited access and requires a high degree of integrity. This is typically data that will do the most damage to the organization should it be disclosed.

Confidential

Data that might be less restrictive within the company but might cause damage if disclosed.

Private

Private data is usually compartmental data that might not do the company damage but must be keep private for other reasons. Human resources data is one example of data that can be classified as private.

Proprietary

Proprietary data is data that is disclosed outside the company on a limited basis or contains information that could reduce the company's competitive advantage, such as the technical specifications of a new product.

Public

Public data is the least sensitive data used by the company and would cause the least harm if disclosed. This could be anything from data used for marketing to the number of employees in the company.

Government Classification

Government classification of data is something created out of policy for maintaining national security or the privacy of citizen data. Military and intelligence organizations set their classifications on the ramifications of disclosure of the data. Civilian agencies also look to prevent unauthorized disclosure, but they also have to consider the integrity of the data.

Classifications for Sensitive Data

The classifications for the sensitivity of data used in government and military applications are top secret, secret, confidential, sensitive but unclassified, and unclassified.

The implementation of the classification is based on laws, policies, and executive directives that can be in conflict with each other. Agencies do their best to resolve these conflicts by altering the meaning of the standard classifications. Table 3.5 explains the types of classifications used by government civilian and military organizations.

Table 3.5 GOVERNMENT DATA CLASSIFICATIONS FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST

Classification

Description

Top Secret

Disclosure of top secret data would cause severe damage to national security.

Secret

Disclosure of secret data would cause serious damage to national security. This data is considered less sensitive than data classified as top secret.

Confidential

Confidential data is usually data that is exempt from disclosure under laws such as the Freedom of Information Act but is not classified as national security data.

Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU)

SBU data is data that is not considered vital to national security, but its disclosure would do some harm. Many agencies classify data they collect from citizens as SBU. In Canada, the SBU classification is referred to as protected (A, B, C).

Unclassified

Unclassified is data that has no classification or is not sensitive.

Criteria

After the classification scheme is identified, the organization must create the criteria for setting the classification. No set guidelines exist for setting the criteria, but some considerations are as follows:

  • Who should be able to access or maintain the data?

  • Which laws, regulations, directives, or liability might be required in protecting the data?

  • For government organizations, what would the effect on national security be if the data were disclosed?

  • For nongovernment organizations, what would the level of damage be if the data was disclosed or corrupted?

  • Where is the data to be stored?

  • What is the value or usefulness of the data?

Creating Procedures for Classifying Data

Using this information, your organization can create a procedure for classifying data. Government organizations already have this procedure defined. Nongovernment organizations have a lot of flexibility in setting the procedures that best suit their needs. Step By Step 3.2 is an example of a procedure your organization can use.

STEP BY STEP

3.2 Creating Data Classification Procedures

  1. Set the criteria for classifying the data.

  2. Determine the security controls that will be associated with the classification.

  3. Identify the data owner who will set the classification of the data.

  4. Document any exceptions that might be required for the security of this data.

  5. Determine how the custody of the data can be transferred.

  6. Create criteria for declassifying information.

  7. Add this information to the security awareness and training programs so users can understand their responsibilities in handling data at various classifications.

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020