Information Classification Must Reach Beyond Knowledge Management

Information and knowledge management (I&KM) professionals incorrectly assume that information classification is all about making information easier to find. This narrow vision ignores other critical reasons for classifying information — such as ensuring security, implementing a retention policy, and optimizing the use of storage. Without considering the broader ecosystem of information classification, I&KM professionals risk duplicating or contradicting the classification efforts of their security peers and missing an opportunity to streamline the IT infrastructure that supports information throughout its life cycle. Now is the time for I&KM professionals to sync up with security and IT operations professionals to identify and then augment existing classification policies. Create a classification template that meets the 80/20 rule, enabling all team members to quickly classify about 80% of information in the organization.