The benefits of classifying and labelling our information
Classifying our information as Confidential, Public or Internal, and adding a label to communicate this to others, helps us to protect and handle it appropriately.
This is because its classification indicates the level of harm it would cause the University and our Partners if it was disclosed.
In addition, classifying and labelling our information also allows us to make use of emerging technologies, such as AI, as it means we’re better positioned to configure and protect information based on its classification.
What’s changing and why
The University has always used information classifications – for example, to indicate confidential HR or payroll documents – but to enhance our security we increasingly need to extend this approach to all information that is created to be shared.
To achieve this, it’s important to have a common understanding of the information classifications used at Bath, so they have been simplified to three classes:
- Confidential
- Internal
- Public
Next steps - what you need to do
The first step to keeping our information secure is to classify it, and add a label to communicate this to others. Please therefore:
- Classify and label all information you create to be shared, from September onwards
- Classify and label previously-created information as and when you next use it.
It’s important to be aware that any information without a label is regarded as ‘Public’.
Further information and guidance
Find out more about information classification and labelling at Bath by completing the optional bite-sized training course on our MetaCompliance platform.
In addition, review the guidance to develop your understanding of information classification and labelling, as well as considerations for handling it in a secure manner.
You can manually add a label to your digital and printed information, but new Microsoft functionality allows you to easily apply labels to your Microsoft files.
Information classification and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests
Please be aware that regardless of its classification level, all recorded information held by the University in any format may be requested and disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR).
Visit Dealing with Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests for full guidance and advice.