Data classifications now possible on Windows Server 2008 R2 file servers

One of the responsibilities I had last year was the delivery of a data classifications program within our business, this is the marking of all company informationĀ based uponĀ risk of exposure, in our case we rated by Red, Amber & Green (RAG). For me (as a technologist) I focussed on tools that could be utilised to make this transformation as painless as possible.

For example, with e-mail we used a 3rd party plug-in for Exchange 2007 called “Symprex Mail Signature Manager” and configured Red/Amber/Green signatures for all users. However one area that we were unable to address was the dreaded file server.

Yesterday over at the MS Storage Team Blog I noticed a post that introduces a new file classification infrastructure (FCI) and appears to address this very issue, you can even create server-side classification rules for automatic classification! (see illustration below)

  1. May 13th, 2009 at 21:36
    Reply | Quote | #1

    Correct, not only this works with automatic classification mechanisms in the box (based on content or location) but you can define your own classification methods.

    We have demoed in our booth (at TechEd) a method of providing classification through a Powershell script.

    Thanks, Adi

    P.S. Speaking of Exchange – they just announced at TechEd a similar classification method based on transport rules – you can use this for example to autoamtically encrypt sensitive emails:
    http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/05/11/451274.aspx

  2. Adam
    May 13th, 2009 at 22:24
    Reply | Quote | #2

    Thanks Adi, the Exchange 2010 functionality will be very welcome. We are about to roll-out IronPort encryption which will trigger based upon a user selecting a Red classification signature. Look forward to a more integrated solution in the future!