Data classification is a requirement of every security framework. More importantly it should be a key part of any organization’s control framework, by clearly informing the person (or system) handing the information, whether an employee of the company or an external entity, how that information should be handled.
Only by providing clear, unambiguous guidance can information be properly protected and the risk of an accidental breach minimized.
Using automated toolsets that aid and guide the users in data classification provides one of the best ways to automatically control information in a consistent manner through all stages of its lifecycle.