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Data Classification Framework

The organization shall establish a data classification framework that defines the structures, processes, and practices for classifying data based on its sensitivity, criticality, and regulatory requirements. The framework shall articulate how data is classified, how criteria are defined, and how classification is governed.

Requirement ID
DAT-003-R001
Parent Control
DAT-003
Domain Code
DAT

Requirement Details & Guidance

DAT-003-R001 · DAT-003
Why This Requirement Exists

To establish a consistent, accountable foundation for data classification, ensuring activities are governed, documented, risk-aligned, and performed consistently.

Implementation Guidance

Define scope, objectives, roles, governance, processes, approval authority, review cadence, and supporting documentation for the data classification. Align it with enterprise risk, data governance, security, and applicable privacy obligations.

Practical Application & Audit Readiness

DAT-003-R001 · Field Guidance

Business Examples

    Common Audit Findings

      Common Mistakes

        Best Practices & Ownership

        DAT-003 · Recommended Approach

        Recommended Practices

          Typical Owner

          Cross-Mapped Regulatory Frameworks

          Harmonized Control Mappings
          FRAMEWORK CODE FRAMEWORK NAME & DETAILS FAMILY / CATEGORY VERSION ACTION
          CIS-V8 CIS Controls CIS Controls are a prioritized set of cybersecurit... Clause: Control 03 – Data Protection: 3.7 – Establish and Maintain a Data Classification Scheme
          CIS
          Best Practice
          		 vv8 View →
          COBIT2019 COBIT COBIT is an enterprise governance and management f... Clause: 4.2 – Align, Plan and Organize (APO) > APO14 – Managed Data > APO14.02 – Define and maintain a consistent business glossary.
          COBIT
          Governance Framework
          		 v2019 View →
          DORA Digital Operational Resilience Act The EU Digital Operational Resilience Act establis... Clause: Article 8(1) – Identify, classify and document ICT-supported business functions, information assets and ICT assets Article 12(1)(a) – Backup policies/procedures based on data criticality or confidentiality
          EU
          Regulation
          		 vCurrent View →
          GDPR General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The General Data Protection Regulation is a bindin... Clause: Article 5(1)(c) – Data minimisation; Article 9(1) – Special categories of personal data; Article 32(1) – Security of processing
          EU
          Regulation
          		 vCurrent View →
          IRDAI IRDAI Information & Cyber Security Guidelines IRDAI information and cyber-security requirements... Clause: §2.1-3.3 – Data Classification Process
          India
          Guideline
          		 vLatest View →
          ISO27002 ISO/IEC 27002 ISO/IEC 27002 is a guidance standard containing a... Clause: 5.12 – Classification of information
          ISO
          Standard
          		 v2022 View →
          ISO27701 ISO/IEC 27701 ISO/IEC 27701 provides requirements and guidance f... Clause: 6.5.2.1; 6.5.2.1 – Classification of information (privacy)
          ISO
          Privacy Standard
          		 v2019 View →
          NIS2 NIS2 Directive The NIS2 Directive establishes EU-wide cybersecuri... Clause: Article 21(2)(a) – Policies on risk analysis and information system security
          EU
          Directive
          		 vCurrent View →
          NIST-CSF NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides high-lev... Clause: ID.AM – Asset Management | ID.AM-07 – Inventories of data and corresponding metadata for designated data types are maintained
          NIST
          Framework
          		 v2 View →
          NIST80053 NIST SP 800-53 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 presents control families, i... Clause: 3.16 – RISK ASSESSMENT, 3.10 – MEDIA PROTECTION; RA-2 – SECURITY CATEGORIZATION, MP-3 – MEDIA MARKING
          NIST
          Control Catalog
          		 vRev. 5 View →
          NPCI-ISR NPCI Information Security Requirements NPCI information-security requirements define cont... Clause: Security Measures / Controls; Data Security
          India
          Standard
          		 vLatest View →
          PCI-DSS PCI DSS PCI DSS is an industry security standard maintaine... Clause: 9.4.2 – All media with cardholder data is classified in
          PCI
          Standard
          		 v4 View →
          RBI-CSF RBI Cyber Security Framework / Master Directions RBI cyber-security requirements and directions set... Clause: 1) Inventory Management of Business IT Assets – 1.1 Asset inventory incl. business/customer data, applications, infrastructure, facilities, key personnel and criticality; 1) Inventory Management of Business IT Assets – 1.2 Data/information classification by sensitivity; 1) Inventory Management of Business IT Assets – 1.3 Protection of data/information across storage, transmission, processing and access, inside/outside the bank
          India
          Regulation
          		 vLatest View →
          SEBI-CSCRF SEBI Cyber Security & Cyber Resilience Framework SEBI’s Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framewor... Clause: 2.1 ID.AM: Asset Management; 3.3 PR.DS: Data Security
          India
          Regulation
          		 vLatest View →
          SOC2 SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria SOC 2 is an independent examination and reporting... Clause: CC2.1 – Information and Communication – COSO Principle 13: The entity obtains or generates and uses relevant, quality information to support the functioning of internal control. C1.1 – Confidentiality – The entity identifies and maintains confidential information to meet the entity’s objectives related to confidentiality.
          AICPA
          Audit Framework
          		 vLatest View →

          Parent Domain Context

          Governance Domain Baseline
          Domain Name:
          Data Protection & Privacy (DAT)
          Purpose:
          To protect data throughout its lifecycle and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
          Scope:
          Enterprise
          View

          Parent Control Context

          Control Baseline
          Control Name:
          Data Classification & Handling (DAT-003)
          Summary:
          Establishes a data classification framework with defined categories, criteria, handling requirements, labeling, and ongoing governance for protecting data according to sensitivity and criticality.
          Business Description:
          Establish and maintain a data classification framework that categorizes information according to sensitivity, criticality, regulatory obligations, and business value, together with appropriate handling requirements.
          View