ON THIS PAGE:
Overview
We collect, create, store, and use massive amounts of data and information at UW. Depending on its sensitivity, certain protections may be required or recommended to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information.
Data and information
Data, and the information we derive from that data, are some of the University’s most valuable assets. Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts and figures without context. Examples include numbers, dates, and strings of text. Information is data that has been processed, organized, or structured in a way that adds meaning or context, making it useful for decision-making.
Data can be categorized into three types:
- Structured Data: This type of data is highly organized and easily searchable in databases. Examples include spreadsheets, SQL databases, and data tables.
- Unstructured Data: This data lacks a predefined format or structure, making it more challenging to analyze. Examples include emails, videos, social media posts, and text documents.
- Semi-Structured Data: This data does not fit neatly into structured formats but contains tags or markers to separate elements. Examples include JSON files, XML files, and NoSQL databases.
Understanding these types of data helps in effectively managing and utilizing them for decision-making and protecting the University’s valuable information assets.
The Office of Information Security will be revising its resources on managing data, including a new data classification scheme and processes as part of a larger IT Connect redesign effort.
Learn about personal data
Please visit the following resources to learn about personal data:
- Personal Data, Data Classifications, and Data Structures – Provides an overview of personal data. From there, you can read about data classifications, data taxonomies, and high-risk data processing categories.
- Glossary of Privacy Terms – Provides definitions about the common terms used on the UW Privacy Office website and resources.