Asset security context
The post below on asset security is about the information systems that process, transfer or store data. This post is about the data in that context.
- Jacco Meijer
- |
- Aug 15, 2025
Asset security
Information asset identification and classification from a security perspective
Data identification
Data generally grows steadily within organizations. Newly added data has significant impact on organization security which makes it important to identify new data. The more is known about the new data, the better it can be protected.
Data roles
All data should have an owner to ensure proper data governance. The diagram below shows the relationship between data roles, capabilities and the relevant requirements.
The diagram uses 'data asset' to describe the value of the data. This differentiates from the actual data itself which is simply referred to as 'data'.
Data classification
Data classification is assigning a value and a sensitivity level based on content and context. Data categorization is grouping the classified data.
Classification is important because treating security risks for all data equally is a costly approach. It is much more efficient to classify data on sensitivity and differentiate accordingly.
Data classification
Data classification is always best practice but is usually only formalized in strongly regulated environments like military, governments and banks.
With every newly introduced cyber security law however, data classification becomes increasingly important for all organizations.
Data classification types
Data classification can be divided into three primary types.
| Classification Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Content-Based | Analyzes the actual data within the file or message. | Detects credit card numbers, PII, or sensitive keywords in documents. |
| Context-Based | Uses metadata or environmental factors around the data. | Classifies based on file location, sender/receiver, or access patterns. |
| User-Based | Relies on user roles, behavior, or manual input. | User selects classification label; defaults based on department or role. |
Conclusion
Understanding data is a foundational aspect of data security. As organizations continues to generate and handle increasing volumes of data, identifying and classifying this data becomes essential for maintaining cyber security.
Assigning clear ownership and applying appropriate classification methods enables organizations to manage risks more efficiently and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.
By treating data as a valuable asset and aligning roles and responsibilities accordingly, organizations can ensure that their data governance and protection strategies are both effective and scalable.
