To classify information, the information must concern at least one of the following criteria:
- Value: The information must have some level of value to an organization or individual, meaning it could cause loss or harm if disclosed or mishandled.
- Sensitivity: The information's sensitivity level dictates its classification, such as public, internal, confidential, secret, or top secret.
- Legal or Regulatory Requirement: If laws or regulations govern the handling of certain information, classification is needed to meet those requirements.
- Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Needs: Information security needs based on these aspects influence classification.
- Content or Context: Classification can be based on the content of data or the context/metadata associated with it.
- User-Based Judgment: Sometimes, classification relies on expert judgment about the information's importance or sensitivity.
In summary, for information to be classified, it must relate to criteria like its value, sensitivity, legal requirements, security needs, content, or expert assessment.