Using security classification

If you're a content owner or co-owner, Box enables you to apply a security classification label to your files, and cascade a classification label to your folders and their contents. Using the classification labels created by your organization's Box admin, you can better protect your shared sensitive content from negligent access.

Applying a classification to a file.

To apply a classification label to a file:

1. In your All Files window, click beside the file's name to highlight it.
2. In the top of the window, click More Options > Classify.
3. Under Select Classification, click the down arrow and select a classification label. A file can have only one classification label.
4. In the bottom of the window, click Apply.

Here's a video showing how to apply a classification to a file.

Applying a cascading classification to a folder

Box also enables you to apply a cascading classification to a folder. When you apply a cascading classification to a folder, Box applies your selected classification to the folder and also applies the classification label to all of the folder's contents. If the folder or folder's contents have a differing security classification, you override the existing classifications with the new classification. As long as the folder's cascading classification is enabled, content added to the folder inherits the classification.

To apply a cascading classification to a folder:

1. In your All Files window, click beside the folder's name to highlight it.
2. In the top of the window, click More Options > Classify.
3. Under Select Classification, click the down arrow and select a classification label. A folder can have only one classification label.
4. To apply your selected classification as a replacement to all existing classifications, click Overwrite all existing classifications with this value.
5. In the bottom of the window, click Apply.

After you apply a classification, Box displays the classification badge under Details in the right-hand sidebar, and next to the file's or folder's name in Preview when people select it or preview its contents.

Searching for classified content

To search for all content bearing a given classification:

1. In the top of your Box window, in the Search Files and Folders field click the advanced search icon.
2. Select the Metadata tab
3. Under Metadata Template, click Select a Template and select Classification.
4. Under Classification, click Select Value and select the classification label.
5. To launch the search, do one of the following:
   • in the top of your Box window, in the Search Files and Folders field click the search icon (magnification glass), or
   • on your keyboard press Enter .

FAQ

Who can add, edit, or delete a classification label for content?

The content's owner can add, edit, and delete classification labels. Your Box admin may also enable people with Co-owner, Editor and Viewer Uploader permissions to do so, as well. Here are the possible combinations:

• Owner, or
• Owner and Co-owner, or
• Owner, Co-owner, and Editor, or
• Owner, Co-owner, Editor, and Viewer Uploader.

External people cannot add, edit, or delete classification labels.

How long does it take to cascade classifications into a folder?
Applying a cascading classification is usually immediate, but may take some time for an extremely large folder structure.

Can I undo a cascaded classification?

Yes, you can remove classifications at the folder level.

1. Click next to the folder to highlight it.
2. At the top of the All Files window, click More Options > Classify. Box displays the Classify All Content window.
3. At the bottom of the Classify All Content window click Remove.
4. Select to either
   • remove the current classification, or
   • remove all classifications.
5. Click I understand this cannot be undone and operation may take time based on volume of content.
6. Click Remove.