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#56: Cash in the Cyber Sheets - Classify This: Our Take on Data Classification Levels (and Why It Actually Matters

Season #1

In this episode of Cash in the Cyber Sheets, we take a bold step away from convention and dig into one of the most misunderstood yet crucial components of an information security program: data classification levels.

Most organizations default to CISA’s Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) for labeling data, but we’ve taken a different route. While TLP is helpful for public-private information sharing, it lacks the granularity and operational context needed for meaningful internal use. Our classification system was designed to solve that problem by clarifying risk exposure, enhancing threat modeling, and helping you understand where your crown jewels actually live.

We walk through how our classification levels are structured, where they differ from TLP, and why those differences matter. You’ll learn how a refined data classification model improves risk assessments, supports accurate network diagrams, sharpens data mapping efforts, and gives threat modeling the clarity it desperately needs.

You’ll also hear how vague or oversimplified classification systems can derail internal reviews, leading to incomplete threat identification and overlooked vulnerabilities. On the other hand, our approach gives teams a practical way to define what matters most, where it’s located, and how it could be exposed.

This isn’t theory for theory’s sake. If you're conducting a risk assessment, building out network architecture, or performing a gap analysis, our model offers structure that translates directly into action. Whether you're a vCISO, MSP, or an overwhelmed IT lead trying to secure a growing business, this episode arms you with a better lens for managing sensitive information.

Pour your drink of choice and join us for a conversation that could mean the difference between seeing risk in the fog and seeing it in high resolution.

Check our our companion article about data classification at: What is a Data Classification Policy?