Information Asset Classification Community of Practice rev. 10/24/2007

Information Asset Classification

What it means to management

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Information security

“Information protection is something you do, not something you buy. It is not … a policy to put in place and forget. Information security requires a strong process and effective technologies – all based on a sound understanding of the business the organization is in and how it performs that business.”

Burton Group“A Systematic, Comprehensive Approach to Information Security”

October 15, 2007

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Information security

Elements: Identify Classify Protect Manage

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What is an information asset? Anything that has value to the agency that

can be communicated or documentary material, regardless of its physical form or characteristics.

Includes, but is not limited to, paper, electronic, digital, images, and voice mail.

Information technology hardware and software are not information assets for classification purposes.

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Information asset classification

The purpose is to ensure information assets are identified, properly classified, and protected throughout their lifecycles.

The objective is to develop and implement processes that allow an agency to continually assess and classify its information assets.

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Why is classification important? Not all information has the same

value or importance to an agency, therefore information requires different levels of protection.

Information asset classification is critical to ensure assets have a level of protection corresponding to the sensitivity and value of the information asset.

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Five phase approach

1. Management education2. Implementation strategy3. Employee education 4. Implementation5. Maintenance

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Six maturity stages

Stage 0 – No information assets are classified or assets are randomly classified.

Stage 1 – Assets are classified at a high level or organizational level.

Stage 2 – Processes are developed and implemented, allowing assets to be classified in detail

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Six maturity stages

Stage 3 – New assets are classified in detail.

Stage 4 – Legacy assets are classified in detail.

Stage 5 – Assets are classified, and processes exist that allow for asset reassessment and new asset classification.

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Six maturity stages

It is likely many agencies were at Stage 0 at the time the policy was approved.

While Stage 5 is the ultimate goal, most agencies should be able to reach Stage 1 by July 2008.

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Classification methodology

1. Identify information assets2. Identify the owner(s) 3. Conduct an impact assessment4. Determine the classification5. Document classifications6. Provide education and awareness7. Maintain classification and conduct

continuous review

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Classification levels

Level 1 – Published Information that is not protected from

disclosure, that if disclosed will not jeopardize the privacy or security of agency employees, clients, and partners. This includes information regularly made available to the public via electronic, verbal or hard copy media.

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Classification levels

Level 1 – Published Examples:

Press releases Brochures Pamphlets Public access Web pages Materials created for public consumption

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Classification levels

Level 2 – Limited Information that may not be protected

from public disclosure but if made easily and readily available, may jeopardize the privacy or security of agency employees, clients, and/or partners. Agencies shall follow their disclosure policies and procedures before providing this information to external parties.

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Classification levels

Level 2 – Limited Examples

Enterprise risk management planning documents

Published internal audit reports Names and addresses that are not

protected from disclosure

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Classification levels

Level 3 – Restricted Information intended for limited business

use that may be exempt from public disclosure because, among other reasons, such disclosure will jeopardize the privacy or security of agency employees, clients, partners or individuals who otherwise qualify for an exemption.

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Classification levels

Level 3 – Restricted Information in this category may be

accessed and used by external parties. External parties requesting this information for authorized agency business must be under contractual obligation of confidentiality with the agency (for example, confidential/non-disclosure agreement) prior to receiving it.

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Classification levels

Level 3 – Restricted Examples:

Network diagrams Personally identifiable information Other information exempt from public

records disclosure

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Classification levels

Level 4 – Critical Information that is deemed extremely

sensitive and is intended for use by named individual(s) only. This information is typically exempt from public disclosure because, among other reasons, such disclosure would potentially cause major damage or injury up to and including death to … (con’t.)

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Classification levels

Level 4 – Critical (con’t.) … the named individual(s),

agency employees, clients, partners or cause major harm to the agency.

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Classification levels

Level 4 – Critical Examples:

Regulated information with significant penalties for disclosure, such as information covered under HIPAA or IRS regulations

Information that is typically exempt from public disclosure

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Classification levels

Classifying information assets is a business issue and is agency-centric. The classification should be determined by the identified agency information owner for that particular information asset.

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Management methodology

Use information asset classification levels to determine proper processes and procedures for: Information exchange Proper and secure handling Labeling Secure storage Proper destruction

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Where does an agency start?

1. Determine information asset classification maturity stage.

2. Develop documented methodologies and mechanisms for identifying and classifying assets.

3. Determine the need for new or updated agency policies and procedures for classifying and handling information.

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Where does an agency start?

4. Determine short-term and long-term goals to demonstrate constant improvement.

5. Synchronize information asset classification efforts with other business-related activities.

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Resources

Available at http://oregon.gov/DAS/EISPD/ESO Information Asset Classification

Methodology Information Asset Classification

statewide policy 107-004-050 Best practices documents