Information Type Classification: A Comprehensive Guide for CGRC Exam Preparation
Introduction to Information Type Classification
Information Type Classification is a foundational activity within the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and plays a critical role in defining the scope of an information system. It is the process of identifying and categorizing the types of information that are processed, stored, or transmitted by a system, which directly influences the security categorization and ultimately the selection of security controls.
Why Is Information Type Classification Important?
Information Type Classification is important for several key reasons:
1. Drives Security Categorization: The classification of information types directly determines the system's security categorization under FIPS 199 and FIPS 200. Without properly classifying information types, an organization cannot accurately determine the impact levels (low, moderate, or high) for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
2. Ensures Proportional Protection: By classifying information types, organizations can apply security controls that are proportional to the sensitivity and criticality of the information. This prevents both under-protection (which leads to risk) and over-protection (which wastes resources).
3. Supports Mission Alignment: Information type classification ties security decisions to organizational missions and business functions, ensuring that security measures support rather than hinder operational goals.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Federal agencies and organizations operating under federal guidelines are required to classify their information types as part of the RMF process. This is mandated by FISMA and guided by NIST publications.
5. Establishes the Scope of the System: Understanding what types of information a system handles is essential for defining the system's authorization boundary and scope. It helps determine what needs to be protected and to what degree.
What Is Information Type Classification?
Information Type Classification is the process of identifying and categorizing the kinds of information an information system processes, stores, or transmits. This classification is performed in accordance with NIST SP 800-60, Volume I and Volume II (Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories).
Key Concepts:
Information Types are specific categories of information, such as:
- Mission-based information types: Related to the services and functions an organization delivers (e.g., healthcare delivery, law enforcement, financial management).
- Management and support information types: Related to administrative and operational functions (e.g., human resources, budgeting, IT management, procurement).
NIST SP 800-60 provides a comprehensive catalog of information types organized by:
- Volume I: The methodology and guidelines for mapping information types to security categories.
- Volume II: Appendices containing detailed information type listings with recommended provisional impact levels for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
FIPS 199 defines three security objectives and three impact levels:
- Security Objectives: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA)
- Impact Levels: Low, Moderate, High
Each information type is assessed against all three security objectives to determine its impact level.
How Does Information Type Classification Work?
The process of Information Type Classification follows a structured approach:
Step 1: Identify Information Types
Review the system and its functions to identify all types of information processed, stored, or transmitted. Use NIST SP 800-60, Volume II as a reference catalog. Engage system owners, mission owners, data owners, and stakeholders in this identification process.
Step 2: Map Information Types to Provisional Impact Levels
Using NIST SP 800-60, Volume II, map each identified information type to its recommended (provisional) impact levels for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. For example:
Information Type: Financial Management Information
- Confidentiality Impact: Moderate
- Integrity Impact: Moderate
- Availability Impact: Low
Step 3: Adjust Impact Levels (If Necessary)
Organizations may adjust the provisional impact levels based on specific organizational factors, mission requirements, operational environment, or other situational considerations. Any adjustments must be justified and documented. Adjustments can go higher or lower than the provisional recommendation, but raising impact levels is more common and generally easier to justify than lowering them.
Step 4: Determine the Overall System Security Categorization
The overall system security categorization is determined by taking the high-water mark (the highest impact level) across all information types for each security objective. The formula from FIPS 199 is:
SCinformation system = {(confidentiality, impact), (integrity, impact), (availability, impact)}
For example, if a system processes three information types and the highest confidentiality impact among them is Moderate, the highest integrity impact is High, and the highest availability impact is Low, then the system categorization would be:
SC = {(confidentiality, Moderate), (integrity, High), (availability, Low)}
The overall system impact level would be High (the highest single impact level across all three objectives), which determines the baseline set of security controls from NIST SP 800-53.
Step 5: Document in the System Security Plan (SSP)
The results of the information type classification and security categorization are documented in the System Security Plan and other relevant authorization documentation. This documentation becomes part of the authorization package reviewed by the Authorizing Official (AO).
Key Relationships and Dependencies
- NIST SP 800-60 → Provides the methodology and catalog for information type classification
- FIPS 199 → Provides the standards for security categorization based on information types
- FIPS 200 → Specifies minimum security requirements based on security categorization
- NIST SP 800-53 → Provides the security control baselines selected based on the categorization
- CNSSI 1253 → Used for national security systems to perform similar categorization
Roles Involved:
- Information Owner/Steward: Identifies information types and provides input on impact levels
- System Owner: Responsible for ensuring information types are properly classified
- Authorizing Official (AO): Reviews and approves the security categorization
- Security Control Assessor / ISSO: Validates the categorization and ensures controls are aligned
Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions
1. Confusing information types with data formats: Information types are categories of information based on their purpose and function, not their format (e.g., PDF, database records).
2. Failing to use the high-water mark: The system categorization must use the highest impact level across all information types for each security objective. A single high-impact information type will raise the entire system's categorization for that objective.
3. Not justifying adjusted impact levels: Any deviation from the provisional impact levels in NIST SP 800-60 must be documented and justified.
4. Overlooking management and support information types: Organizations sometimes focus only on mission-based information types and forget about administrative information types like HR data or procurement information.
5. Assuming all information types have the same impact: Different information types within the same system can have very different impact levels across the three security objectives.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Information Type Classification
1. Know NIST SP 800-60 Inside and Out: Understand that SP 800-60 is the primary guide for information type classification. Volume I provides the methodology, and Volume II provides the catalog of information types with provisional impact levels. Questions will often test whether you know which document to reference.
2. Understand the High-Water Mark Principle: This is one of the most frequently tested concepts. The system's overall security categorization for each security objective (C, I, A) is determined by the highest impact level among all information types processed by that system. Be prepared for scenario-based questions where you must calculate the system categorization.
3. Know the FIPS 199 Formula: Be comfortable with the security categorization notation: SC = {(confidentiality, impact), (integrity, impact), (availability, impact)}. You may be asked to apply this formula given a set of information types.
4. Distinguish Between FIPS 199 and FIPS 200: FIPS 199 is about categorization (determining impact levels). FIPS 200 is about minimum security requirements based on that categorization. Do not confuse the two.
5. Remember the Three Impact Levels: Low, Moderate, and High. Understand what each means in terms of potential adverse effects on organizational operations, organizational assets, or individuals.
6. Understand Provisional vs. Adjusted Impact Levels: NIST SP 800-60 provides provisional (recommended) impact levels. Organizations can adjust these based on specific circumstances, but adjustments must be justified and documented. Exam questions may present scenarios where adjustments are warranted.
7. Know the Sequence: Information type identification → Impact level assignment → Security categorization → Control baseline selection. Questions may test your understanding of where information type classification fits in the overall RMF process (it occurs during the Categorize step, which is RMF Step 1).
8. Watch for Trick Questions: Some questions may try to confuse you by suggesting that data classification (e.g., Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) is the same as information type classification. While related, these are distinct concepts. Data classification deals with sensitivity labels for national security information, while information type classification deals with mapping information to security categories under FIPS 199.
9. Scenario-Based Practice: Practice with scenarios where multiple information types are present and you need to determine the system's security categorization. For example: A system processes budget formulation data (C: Low, I: Moderate, A: Low) and personnel security data (C: Moderate, I: Moderate, A: Low). What is the system's security categorization? Answer: SC = {(confidentiality, Moderate), (integrity, Moderate), (availability, Low)}.
10. Link to Authorization Boundary: Understand that information type classification helps define the scope of the system. The types of information a system handles influence the authorization boundary and the level of rigor required in the assessment and authorization process.
11. Remember CNSSI 1253 for National Security Systems: If a question references national security systems (NSS), the categorization process uses CNSSI 1253 rather than FIPS 199/200. However, the concept of classifying information types remains similar.
12. Eliminate Wrong Answers Strategically: If you see answer choices referencing NIST SP 800-37 (RMF lifecycle), NIST SP 800-53 (security controls), or NIST SP 800-53A (assessment procedures) as the primary guide for information type classification, these are incorrect. The correct answer is NIST SP 800-60.
Summary
Information Type Classification is a critical early step in the RMF process that establishes the foundation for all subsequent security decisions. By properly identifying and classifying the types of information a system handles, organizations can ensure appropriate security categorization, select the right security control baselines, and ultimately achieve a security posture that is both effective and efficient. For the CGRC exam, focus on understanding the methodology in NIST SP 800-60, the high-water mark principle, the FIPS 199 categorization formula, and how information type classification fits into the broader RMF lifecycle.
