Data Classification Tools

Employees Generating Data
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Data Classification Tools: Why Are They Needed?

Data classification tools are becoming more and more of a necessity for businesses and organisations – especially those with increasingly decentralised staff and contractors. The amount of data being sent to and received from different departments and units within your organisation – as well as exchanged with external partners – is at an all-time high. This will only increase as technology advances. Inevitably, this puts a great deal of strain on those who control your content, whose role it is to ensure that your organisation does not suffer costly data breaches. So what data classification tools can help your organisation to patch any possible gaps in your security?

How Software Can Help By Automating The Data Classification Process

Without the right software in use within your organisation or business, you may not be getting the most out of your implemented data leakage protection (DLP) policies. Despite being thought of as ‘good enough’ by many organisations, DLP by itself will not solve all data exfiltration problems (i.e. the unauthorised transfer of data from a computer) by itself. Classifying the data held by a company enables it to place adequate restrictions on its dissemination where necessary or desirable. However, many organisations have been dissuaded from implementing this as it can be a time-consuming activity that potentially involves poring manually over thousands upon thousands of both current and legacy documents, messages and emails in order to correctly categorise them. The hours required to do this thoroughly would be astronomical. However, nowadays, there are options which include an element of automated data classifications. Such data classification tools are a vital cog in your arsenal against data leaks, as we now live in the days where heightened cyber security is a necessity rather than a luxury. These systems can intelligently yet simply identify whether documents should be for public consumption, internal usage or strictly confidential; and can especially help with the categorisation of legacy documents – which for many organisations can run to the thousands or even millions. The ideal approach will inevitably involve some degree of manual classification for particular types of files. But automating a significant proportion of the process can be a huge boon to companies looking to get their houses in order when it comes to data security. The software is becoming increasingly sophisticated in line with organisations’ greater expectations of it.

What To Look For In Data Classification Software

When looking for the right data classification software, of which there are many available options, you’ll want to know what your main considerations should be when choosing which data classification services to employ. Firstly, functionality is a must. This isn’t just limited to the performance of a file classifier which is able to classify your legacy documents in bulk; it also refers to the user interface. Ease-of-use is incredibly important so that staff can understand the classification system and policies that are being put in place. Additionally, you want software that will ensure that a document remains classified no matter where it is moved, copied sent to. Next, ensure you will have use of a tool that integrates into your current DLP systems. The very last thing you want to do is implement a costly overhaul of your information systems – hence why a tool that can integrate itself into legacy documentation is another very important consideration. Thankfully, such classifier tools do exist. Boldon James ‘Classifier’ software is a perfect example. This simple to use software, designed with the user in mind, covers all different types of files and allows its users to apply visual and metadata labels to enforce information assurance policies. You can specify who can change classification levels and who is authorised to see certain documents – in regards to both files and emails.

Boldon James Has All The Data Classification Tools You Need

Built on the foundations of 30 years spent providing data classification to some of the world’s most well-known and well-respected public and private sector organisations, Boldon James current set of data classification tools is its best line-up yet. Our ‘Classifier‘ tool continues to be the first choice of many high-profile organisations across the UK and across the world who are looking to strengthen their DLP systems.  And if you’d like more information, please contact us.