Data Classification

What is Data Classification?

Is the process of categorizing data based on its sensitivity, criticality, and value to an organization. It involves assigning different levels of protection, access controls, and handling procedures to data based on its classification. The primary purpose of data classification is to ensure that data is managed, stored, and protected in a manner that aligns with its importance and potential risk to the organization

The Data Classification levels which’s applicable to KSA

Top Secret: Data shall be classified as “Top Secret”, if unauthorized access to or disclosure of such as

• National interest including violations of conventions and treaties, adverse damage to the reputation of the country
  KSA organizations functionality causing damage to the national interest
  • Individuals„ health and safety at massive scale and privacy of Protected Individual personnel
  • Catastrophic damage to the environment or natural resources

Secret: Data shall be classified as “Secret”, if unauthorized access to or disclosure of such as

• Affects national interest such as damage to the reputation of the country.
  • Financial loss of KSA organizations that leads to bankruptcy or inability of the organizations to perform their duties or major loss of competitive abilities.
  • Causes significant harm or injury impacting life of individuals.
  • Causes long-term damage to the environment or natural resources.

Confidential: Data shall be classified as “Confidential”, if unauthorized access to or disclosure of such as

• Contained negative affect on government entities„ operations, KSA economy.
  • Damage to any entity’s assets and limited loss to its financial and competitive status.
  • Negative effect on individual’s interests.
  • Contained damage in the short-term to the environment or natural resources.

Public: Data shall be classified as “Public”, if unauthorized access to or disclosure of such data or its content has no impact on

• National Interest
  • Organizations