The Basics of Information Classification
Often, organizations handle a vast amount of sensitive information, but only a few individuals are permitted to access it. Therefore, it becomes crucial to categorize information in different classifications based on several factors, such as security sensitivity, confidentiality level, and organizational importance.
The Responsibility of the Information Owner
The responsibility of information classification primarily rests with the information owner. This person is responsible for ensuring that the information is appropriately identified, classified, and marked according to the organizational standards. Also, the owner must control the dissemination of classified information and ensure that it is only shared with authorized individuals. Moreover, the owner ought to review the classified information periodically, modify it if necessary, and report any unauthorized access attempts.
The Responsibility of the Information Custodian
The information custodian is responsible for ensuring that appropriate levels of protection, storage, and access controls are in place for the classified information. For instance, he or she must ensure that employees authorized to access the information comply with the relevant access procedures and protocols. Also, it is the custodian’s responsibility to enforce the security policies and procedures and take corrective action if any security breach occurs.
The Role of IT Security
While the owners and custodians have primary responsibility for information classification, IT security professionals play a critical role in supporting information classification. IT security must ensure that the appropriate technical controls are in place, such as access controls, encryption, and antivirus software. Moreover, IT security should ensure that these controls comply with the organizational security policies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding information classification and its responsibilities is crucial for any organization that handles sensitive information. Information owners and custodians must classify the information accurately and maintain its confidentiality and integrity. At the same time, IT security must ensure that technical controls support the classification process. Failure to implement appropriate information classification can lead to severe consequences, including damage to reputation, loss of business, and legal consequences. Therefore, it is paramount that organizations take information classification seriously.
