Define data protection controls

Classifying data is essential for establishing the appropriate level of protection and retention for sensitive information. By effectively categorizing data based on criticality and sensitivity, organizations can implement tailored security measures that mitigate risks and comply with regulations.

Best Practices

Implement Data Classification Framework

• Develop a data classification policy that categorizes data based on criticality and sensitivity levels such as public, internal, confidential, and restricted.
• Assign clear ownership for each classification type to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Utilize automated tools to classify data at rest and in transit, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
• Regularly review and update the classification framework to adapt to changing business needs and compliance requirements.
• Educate all stakeholders on the importance of data classification and the specific handling requirements for each classification level.

Apply Tailored Data Protection Controls

• Define and document specific data protection controls for each classification level, ensuring that public data has basic protection while sensitive data has robust encryption and access control policies.
• Implement encryption mechanisms for sensitive data both in transit (using TLS) and at rest (using AES-256, for instance).
• Set up logging and monitoring for sensitive data access and modifications to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts.

Enforce Access Control Mechanisms

• Use role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to data based on classification and user roles.
• Regularly review permissions and access logs to ensure only authorized users have access to sensitive data.
• Incorporate multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to sensitive information to enhance security.

Develop Data Retention and Disposal Procedures

• Establish clear data retention policies based on classification that dictate how long data should be retained.
• Create secure disposal methods for sensitive data that include erasing, degaussing, or physically destroying storage media.
• Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with data retention and disposal policies.

Questions to ask your team

• Have you defined and documented your data classification policy?
• What criteria do you use to determine the classification level of your data?
• Are data classification levels reviewed and updated regularly?
• Do you have mechanisms in place to enforce data protection controls based on classification?
• How do you ensure that employees are educated on data classification and handling procedures?
• Are data classification tags applied consistently across all data assets?
• What tools or services are you using to automate data classification?
• How do you monitor and audit compliance with your data protection controls?

Who should be doing this?

Data Classification Officer

• Establish and maintain data classification policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular assessments to categorize data based on criticality and sensitivity.
• Provide training for employees on data classification and protection measures.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory data protection requirements.

Security Engineer

• Implement data protection controls based on classification levels.
• Develop and maintain security measures for sensitive data, including encryption and access controls.
• Monitor data access and usage for compliance with protection policies.
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure data protection strategies are integrated into systems and processes.

Compliance Manager

• Review data protection policies to ensure alignment with regulatory standards.
• Audit data classification processes and controls for effectiveness.
• Coordinate with external auditors to provide necessary documentation and evidence of compliance.
• Support the organization in understanding and implementing required data protection laws.

IT Support Staff

• Assist in the implementation of data protection technologies and controls.
• Support users in understanding data classification and protection policies.
• Provide technical support for data access requests and incidents involving data protection failures.

What evidence shows this is happening in your organization?

• Data Classification Policy Template: This template outlines the processes for classifying data based on its sensitivity and criticality, defining guidelines for how data should be secured according to its classification level.
• Data Protection Controls Checklist: A checklist that provides a detailed list of recommended controls based on data classification levels, ensuring that sensitive data receives enhanced protection measures.
• Data Classification Matrix: A visual matrix that categorizes data types, outlining the appropriate protection controls required for each classification tier from public to highly sensitive data.
• Data Handling and Retention Strategy Guide: A guide that provides best practices on how to handle and retain data according to its classification, including timelines and specific controls for various data types.
• Incident Response Plan for Sensitive Data Breaches: An incident response plan specifically tailored for breaches involving sensitive data, detailing the steps to be taken and the controls that should be activated based on data classification.

Cloud Services

AWS

• AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): IAM helps manage access to AWS services and resources securely. It allows you to define permissions for users based on data classification.
• Amazon Macie: Macie uses machine learning to automatically discover, classify, and protect sensitive data stored in AWS.
• AWS Key Management Service (KMS): KMS allows you to create and control cryptographic keys for your applications and allows data protection based on classification.

Azure

• Azure Information Protection: This service helps classify and protect documents and emails by applying labels based on information sensitivity.
• Azure Policy: Azure Policy allows you to enforce organizational standards and assess compliance at scale, helping manage data classification.
• Azure Key Vault: This service safeguards cryptographic keys and other secrets used by cloud applications and services, enabling data protection.

Google Cloud Platform

• Google Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP helps discover, classify, and protect sensitive information across Google Cloud, enabling appropriate protection measures.
• Google Cloud IAM: IAM provides a way to manage access and permissions for Google Cloud resources based on data classifications.
• Google Cloud KMS: Cloud KMS allows you to create and manage cryptographic keys for your cloud services, supporting data encryption and protection.

Question: How do you classify your data?
Pillar: Security (Code: SEC)