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What is the importance of data classification and labeling for leak prevention?

Data classification and labeling are critical for leak prevention because they help organizations identify, categorize, and protect sensitive information based on its value, sensitivity, and regulatory requirements. By assigning labels to data, businesses can enforce appropriate access controls, monitoring, and security measures tailored to the data's classification level.

For example, financial records labeled as "Highly Confidential" may require encryption, strict access permissions, and audit trails, while publicly available marketing materials may have minimal restrictions. This ensures that sensitive data is handled securely and reduces the risk of accidental or intentional leaks.

In cloud environments, Tencent Cloud offers services like Data Security Center and Sensitive Data Protection (SDP) to automate data classification and labeling. These tools scan storage systems, identify sensitive data (e.g., PII, financial records), and apply labels to enforce policies such as encryption, access control, and leakage prevention. This helps organizations comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA while minimizing data breach risks.