How can you classify mobile device data to prevent security breaches?

2 How to classify mobile device data?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to data classification, as different organizations may have different criteria and objectives. However, a common framework is to use four levels of data classification: public, internal, confidential, and restricted. Public data is the least sensitive and can be freely shared with anyone, such as marketing materials or general information. Internal data is more sensitive and should be accessed only by authorized employees, such as policies or procedures. Confidential data is highly sensitive and should be accessed only by specific individuals or groups, such as customer records or financial data. Restricted data is the most sensitive and should be accessed only by a limited number of people with a legitimate need, such as trade secrets or personal data.

3 Why classify mobile device data?

Classifying mobile device data is important for several reasons. First, it helps you to protect your data from unauthorized access, theft, loss, or leakage, which can have serious consequences for your reputation, revenue, and compliance. Second, it helps you to optimize your data storage and management, by reducing the amount of data that needs to be encrypted, backed up, or archived. Third, it helps you to align your data security policies and practices with your business goals and priorities, by focusing your resources and efforts on the most valuable and vulnerable data.

4 How to implement data classification?

Implementing data classification requires a combination of technical, organizational, and human factors. You need to have a clear and consistent data classification policy that defines the criteria, categories, and responsibilities for classifying data. You also need to have a data classification tool that can scan, label, and categorize your data automatically or manually, depending on your preferences and needs. You also need to have a data security solution that can enforce your data classification policy and apply the appropriate security controls, such as encryption, authentication, or access rights, to your data. Finally, you need to have a data security awareness and training program that can educate your employees on the importance and benefits of data classification, and how to follow the best practices and guidelines.

5 What are the challenges of data classification?

Data classification can be difficult to manage, especially for mobile device data. This is due to the large and diverse amount of data generated and stored on mobile devices, such as emails, messages, photos, videos, or documents. Furthermore, mobile devices can access and transmit data from anywhere and anytime, which can increase the risk of data breaches if the devices are lost, stolen, or compromised. Additionally, there can be confusion and conflict over who owns and is responsible for the data on the devices and how it should be classified and protected due to mobile devices being used for both personal and professional purposes.

6 How to overcome the challenges of data classification?

To overcome the challenges of data classification, you need to take a proactive and holistic approach. This should include conducting a data inventory and audit to identify and document all data stored or accessed on mobile devices, as well as assessing its value, sensitivity, and legal obligations. Additionally, you need to establish a data classification policy and process with defined rules and procedures for classifying data, and assign roles and responsibilities for data owners, custodians, and users. Furthermore, selecting a data classification tool and solution that can support your policy and process is essential, as is integrating it with your existing data security infrastructure and systems. Lastly, educate your employees on the policy and process, provide them with the necessary tools and resources to classify and protect their data, and motivate them to comply.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?