Information Asset Classification Community of Practicerev. 10/24/2007 Information Asset Classification What it means to employees

Information Asset Classification2rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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

Information Asset Classification3rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Information security  Elements: Identify Classify Protect Manage

Information Asset Classification4rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification5rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification6rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Why is classification important?  Not all information has the same value or importance to an agency, therefore information requires different levels of protection.  Classification enables employees to apply appropriate handling processes to protect client and customer information.

Information Asset Classification7rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification8rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Classification levels  Level 1 – Published Examples:  Press releases  Brochures  Pamphlets  Public access Web pages  Materials created for public consumption

Information Asset Classification9rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification10rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Classification levels  Level 2 – Limited Examples  Enterprise risk management planning documents  Published internal audit reports  Names and addresses that are not protected from disclosure

Information Asset Classification11rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification12rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification13rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Classification levels  Level 3 – Restricted Examples:  Network diagrams  Personally identifiable information  Other information exempt from public records disclosure

Information Asset Classification14rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.)

Information Asset Classification15rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Classification levels  Level 4 – Critical (con’t.) … the named individual(s), agency employees, clients, partners or cause major harm to the agency.

Information Asset Classification16rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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

Information Asset Classification17rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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.

Information Asset Classification18rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice 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

Information Asset Classification19rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice What you can do  Understand and follow agency policies and procedures for classifying and securing information assets  Understand the proper handling required for the different classification levels  Handle agency information securely  Talk to your supervisor

Information Asset Classification20rev. 10/24/2007 Community of Practice Resources  Available at DAS/EISPD/ESO Information Asset Classification Methodology Information Asset Classification statewide policy Best practices documents