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Data Classification

Classifying and assigning properties to your Data is essential for any organisation. This should only focus on Data that is important (sometimes defined as Critical) to your Organisation. Not all application Data is relevant to your organisation. Normally only 20% of Data in an applicaton is relevant your organisation, the rest is used to drive the operations within the application. Thus, CryspIQ has been built to focus your organisation on the important Data.

Data Privacy​

In Australia this is governed by the Privacy Act 1988. Personal Information(PI) includes a broad range of information, or an opinion, that could identify an individual. What is PI will vary, depending on whether a person can be identified or is reasonably identifiable in the circumstances.

Non PI Data​

Non PI Data that cannot identify an individual.

PI Sensitive​

PI Data is any data that could identify a specific person. Examples are:

  • name,
  • government-issued ID number,
  • date of birth,
  • occupation, or
  • address.

PI Highly Sensitive​

High Risk Confidential PI means an individual’s name together with any of the following data about that individual:

  • Medicare number,
  • bank or
  • other financial account numbers,
  • credit or debit card numbers,
  • driver’s license number,
  • passport number,
  • other government-issued identification numbers,
  • biometric data,
  • Protected Health Information (PHI)
  • data about the individual obtained through a research project.

Data Sensitivity​

Most business have defined their own processes for Data Sensitivity, which can be used and implemented into CryspIQ. We have provided the most common set of classification levels that are normally applied. “Confidential Information” refers to all types of data Levels 2-4. The higher the data level, the greater the required protection.

General (Level 1)​

Data and Information that is considered general and available to the public.

Official (Level 2)​

Information the organisation has chosen to keep confidential but the disclosure of which would not cause material harm.

Confidential (Level 3)​

Information could cause risk of material harm to individuals or the organisation if disclosed.

Top Secret (Level 4)​

Information would cause severe harm to individuals or the organisation if disclosed.

Types of Data​

Five W’s and H framwork is a method used to gather information and analyze a situation by asking six key questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. There are three types of data that are generally used for analytics, these are:

  • Master Data
  • Reference Data
  • Transactional Data In order to manage your Data correctly, you do need to identify what type of Data you are working with.

Master Data​

Master Data is defined as data that identifies the noun for these three analytical quesitons:

  • Who: This question seeks to identify the individuals or groups involved in the situation. It helps determine the key stakeholders, decision-makers, and participants. Examples are Customer, Employees, Vendors, Suppliers etc.
  • What: This question aims to define the specific objects related to the situation. It helps establish the scope and objectives of a project or investigation. Examples are Assets, Services, Cost Codes etc.
  • Where: This question seeks to determine the physical or virtual location of the situation. It helps identify the relevant environments or contexts. For example, asking “Where will the event take place?” ensures proper planning and logistics.

Master Data is the source record or object for the Organisation that defines the answer to these three questions. The attributes of this type data are slowly changing or change infrequently, and should be tracked in accordance with that.

Reference Data​

Reference Data is used to connect Data across Business functions and applications. Its usually a number or some text that can be used to match data across business functions. Best way to understand this type of Data is through an example. Take the Payments Function and the Invoicing Functon within an organisation. An example that most people can understand is the Invoice Number. When you pay an Invoice, you normally have to make sure that the Invoice Number in the payment, so that the payment can be matched to Invoice Raised.

Transactional Data​

Transactional Data is defined as the individual records of business transactions that occur within an organisation. This type of Data can be created at different frequencies - example high frequency - sensor data/tag readings or low frequency - invoice payments, but created at a specific Date and Time. Also known as factual information as it captures actual information about the business that cannot be changed.