Data classification is the process of assigning labels to data based on its sensitivity and business impact. Different organizations and sectors may have different data classification schemes, but a common one is the following:
Public: Data that can be freely disclosed to anyone without any harm or risk. Private: Data that is intended for internal use only and may cause some harm or risk if disclosed.
Confidential: Data that is intended for authorized use only and may cause significant harm or risk if disclosed.
Restricted: Data that is intended for very limited use only and may cause severe harm or risk if disclosed.
In this scenario, the company is developing a critical system for the government and storing project information on a fileshare. This data is likely to be classified as confidential and restricted, because it is not meant for public or private use, and it may cause serious damage to national security or public safety if disclosed. The government may also have specific requirements or regulations for handling such data, such as encryption, access control, and auditing.