<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
---
name: implementing-information-classification-governance
description: >-
  Establish and enforce information classification schemes that categorize data by sensitivity and apply handling requirements.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: governance-risk-compliance
tags:
  - classification
  - data-governance
  - labeling
  - sensitivity
  - information-protection
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1083"]
---

# Implementing Information Classification Governance

## Overview

Information classification governance establishes the rules for categorizing
data by sensitivity level and applying appropriate handling controls. Without
classification, organizations cannot consistently protect sensitive data or
enforce data loss prevention policies.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Install |
|---|---|
| Executive sponsorship | Classification policy requires leadership mandate |
| Data inventory | Catalog of data types and storage locations |
| Labeling technology | Microsoft Purview, Titus, or equivalent |
| Python 3.10+ | For agent tooling |

## Key Concepts

### Classification Levels

| Level | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public | No restrictions on disclosure | Marketing materials |
| Internal | For internal use only | Org charts, memos |
| Confidential | Restricted to authorized personnel | Financial data, PII |
| Restricted | Highest sensitivity, strict controls | Trade secrets, M&A |

### Handling Requirements

Each classification level defines:
- **Storage** — Encryption at rest requirements
- **Transmission** — Encryption in transit requirements
- **Access** — Authentication and authorization rules
- **Sharing** — Internal vs. external permissions
- **Retention** — How long data is kept
- **Disposal** — Secure deletion methods

### Governance Model

- **Policy owner** — CISO or DPO defines classification scheme
- **Data owners** — Business units classify their data assets
- **Data custodians** — IT implements technical controls
- **All employees** — Apply labels to documents they create

## Workflow

1. **Define classification scheme** — establish levels with clear definitions
2. **Map regulatory requirements** — align levels with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS
3. **Create handling matrix** — define controls per classification level
4. **Deploy labeling technology** — enable classification tools for users
5. **Train users** — educate on classification responsibilities
6. **Configure auto-classification** — apply labels based on content inspection
7. **Monitor and audit** — track classification adoption and misclassification


## Verification

| Check | Method |
|---|---|
| Scheme published | Classification policy approved and communicated |
| Labels deployed | Classification labels available in all content tools |
| Training complete | User training delivered with >90% completion |
| Auto-classification active | Sensitive content automatically labeled |
| Audit operational | Misclassification reports generated monthly |

## References

- [ISO 27001:2022 A.5.12](https://www.iso.org/standard/27001)
- [NIST SP 800-60](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/60/v1/r1/final)
- [Microsoft Purview](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/purview/information-protection)
- [GDPR Art. 5](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-5-gdpr/)
