Example of Information Classification and Handling Policy

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1 Policy Statement

To meet the enterprise business objectives and ensure continuity of its operations, XXX shall adopt and follow well-defined and time-tested plans and procedures, to ensure that sensitive information is classified correctly and handled as per organizational policies. Information is considered a primary asset of an organization. An organization uses different types of information assets. The sensitivity of these information assets may vary and similarly, their handling mechanisms are also different.

2 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure personal information and confidential information are protected from unauthorized use and disclosure. This policy helps to facilitate the identification of information to support routine disclosure and active dissemination of information. It also helps to protect the intellectual property of XXX.

3 Scope

3.1 Employees

This policy applies to all Managers, employees, contractors, and third-party employees who have access to IT assets of XXX and may be bound by contractual agreements.

3.2 IT Assets

This policy applies to all information assets of XXX.

3.3 Documentation

The policy documentation shall consist of Information Classification and Handling Policy and related procedures & guidelines.

3.4 Document Control

The Information Classification and Handling Policy document and all other referenced documents shall be controlled. Version control shall be to preserve the latest release and the previous version of any document. However, the previous version of the documents shall be retained only for a period of two years for legal and knowledge preservation purposes.

3.5 Records

Records being generated as part of the Information Classification and Handling Policy shall be retained for a period of two years. Records shall be in hard copy or electronic media. The records shall be owned by the respective system administrators and shall be audited once a year.

3.6 Distribution and Maintenance

The Information Classification and Handling Policy document shall be made available to all the employees covered in the scope. All the changes and new releases of this document shall be made available to the persons concerned. The maintenance responsibility of this document shall be with the CISO and website administrator.

4 Privacy

The Information Classification and Handling Policy document shall be considered as “confidential” and shall be made available to the concerned persons with proper access control. Subsequent changes and versions of this document shall be controlled.

5 Responsibility

The CISO / designated personnel is responsible for the proper implementation of the Information Classification and Handling Policy.

6. Policy

XXX categorizes information into four classes: Confidential, Project / Process / Department specific, Internal, and Public.

  1. Confidential – The information assets which have high confidentiality value belong to this category. Only a limited set of authorized users shall access these information assets. Examples include business strategy and personnel files.
  2. Project / Process / Department specific – The information assets that contain data pertaining to the needs of a specific department, project team, or business process, belong to this category. Such information assets shall be accessible to members of the concerned department, project, or business process only.
  3. Internal – The information assets which can be distributed within all offices of XXX belong to this category. Examples are office orders and internal circulars.
  4. Public – The information assets which do not have any confidentiality requirement and/or can be disseminated to the general public belong to this category. Examples include an annual financial report of XXX and information displayed on XXX’s website.

Following are the policies for secure handling of information assets of XXX:

  1. Handling and labeling of all media shall be according to its indicated classification level.
  2. Depending on the classification of information, electronic transmission, copying, and distribution of copies of such information, shall require prior approval of CISO / DGM / GM / CEO, as applicable.
  3. Mailing and/or shipment of confidential information shall require that information be sent through a reputed mail service/courier with proper authentication.
  4. Confidential information shall be stored with proper security and/or in safe lockers.
  5. Disposition of confidential and Project / Process / Department specific information shall require shredding in the presence of CISO / DGM / GM / CEO / Process In-charge, as applicable.
  6. Appropriate access restrictions shall be applied to prevent access from unauthorized personnel.
  7. A formal record of the authorized recipients of data shall be maintained.
  8. Information processing operations shall ensure the following: that input data is complete, that processing is properly completed, and that output validation is applied.
  9. Storage of media shall be in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications.
  10. All copies of media shall be clearly marked for the attention of the authorized recipient.
  11. Spooled data awaiting output shall be protected to a level consistent with its sensitivity.
  12. The distribution of data shall be based on “need to know” and “need to use” principles.
  13. Distribution lists and lists of authorized recipients shall be reviewed at regular intervals.

7 Enforcement

Any employee found to have violated this policy may be subjected to disciplinary action in line with the HR Policy / Staff Regulation Act of XXX.

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Pretesh Biswas has wealth of qualifications and experience in providing results-oriented solutions for your system development, training or auditing needs. He has helped dozens of organizations in implementing effective management systems to a number of standards. He provide a unique blend of specialized knowledge, experience, tools and interactive skills to help you develop systems that not only get certified, but also contribute to the bottom line. He has taught literally hundreds of students over the past 5 years. He has experience in training at hundreds of organizations in several industry sectors. His training is unique in that which can be customized as to your management system and activities and deliver them at your facility. This greatly accelerates the learning curve and application of the knowledge acquired. He is now ex-Certification body lead auditor now working as consultancy auditor. He has performed hundreds of audits in several industry sectors. As consultancy auditor, he not just report findings, but provide value-added service in recommending appropriate solutions. Experience Consultancy: He has helped over 100 clients in a wide variety of industries achieve ISO 9001,14001,27001,20000, OHSAS 18001 and TS 16949 certification. Industries include automotive, metal stamping and screw machine, fabrication, machining, assembly, Forging electrostatic and chrome plating, heat-treating, coatings, glass, plastic and rubber products, electrical and electronic equipment, assemblies & components, batteries, computer hardware and software, printing, placement and Security help, warehousing and distribution, repair facilities, consumer credit counseling agencies, banks, call centers, etc. Training: He has delivered public and on-site quality management training to over 1000 students. Courses include ISO/TS -RAB approved Lead Auditor, Internal Auditing, Implementation, Documentation, as well as customized ISO/TS courses, PPAP, FMEA, APQP and Control Plans. Auditing: He has conducted over 100 third party registration and surveillance audits and dozens of gap, internal and pre-assessment audits to ISO/QS/TS Standards, in the manufacturing and service sectors. Other services: He has provided business planning, restructuring, asset management, systems and process streamlining services to a variety of manufacturing and service clients such as printing, plastics, automotive, transportation and custom brokerage, warehousing and distribution, electrical and electronics, trading, equipment leasing, etc. Education & professional certification: Pretesh Biswas has held IRCA certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001,14001 and 27001. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a MBA in Systems and Marketing. Prior to becoming a business consultant 6 years ago, he has worked in several portfolios such as Marketing, operations, production, Quality and customer care. He is also certified in Six Sigma Black belt .

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