Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Practice Exam

The primary purpose of information classification is to ensure effective protection of information. This process involves categorizing information based on its level of sensitivity and the impact that its disclosure, alteration, or destruction could have on the organization and its stakeholders. By classifying data, organizations can establish different security controls and handling procedures that are appropriate to the risk associated with that information.

For example, highly sensitive data might require stricter access controls and encryption, while less sensitive information may have more lenient protections. This structured approach helps organizations allocate resources and implement safeguards proportionally to the sensitivity of the information, thereby enhancing the overall security posture.

While other aspects such as data sharing and compliance reporting benefit from information classification, they are secondary to the fundamental goal of ensuring that information is adequately protected according to its classification. Prioritizing IT resources is also a potential outcome of effective classification, but it primarily serves to support the main objective of safeguarding sensitive data.