Information Classification: Definition & Internal Development
The term information classification may seem to have an obvious definition — how information is classified in a system. However, there are some complexities to this process, especially regarding data security and regulations around access to the information. It is important for IT administrators and business managers to understand compliance rules and regulations, industry best practices, and the best approach to security and assigning access rights within the organisation. Information classification refers to how data is grouped in an organisation’s computer system, often using a database structure. This means, for example, that data from the marketing department does not mix with data from the HR department. If these files were stored without any organisation, they would be difficult to find later. Using this type of data storage allows you to restrict access to certain groups of information only to those who need it. For example, you may have certain files that the financial manager needs to access, but a new, entry-level accountant does not. This type of restriction also protects your organisation’s data from breaches or hackers.
ISO 27001 compliance
An organisation will classify its information based on who needs to access it. Most systems use four levels of authorisation:
- Confidential: It is only for senior management.
- Restricted: Most employees have access, but some may not.
- Internal: All employees have access; no one outside can access it.
- Public: Everyone has access, including those not working with the organisation.
There are often subcategories or different levels in larger organisations, and different companies may use different names for these access levels. Organisations that take data access and protection seriously will use the Information and Security Management System (ISMS) Standard, ISO 27001 Compliance, for their databases.
This international standard is recommended by regulatory bodies all over the world as the best practices to protect digital data within organisations. ISO/IEC 20071:2013, usually referred to as simply ISO27001, specifies how ISMSs should be managed. The latest version of this standard was published in September 2013, updating the 2005 guidance.
ISO 27001:2013 steps
ISO 27001 has 10 management system clauses to support implementation of an ISMS. These are as follows:
- Scope
- Normative References
- Terms and Definitions
- Context
- Leadership
- Planning and Risk Management
- Support
- Operations
- Performance Evaluation
- Improvement
Implementing an ISMS with ISO 27001 compliance includes: