“I Have this Data. What Is it and Where Do I Put it?” Making Data Classification and Storage Decisions Accessible to Uninitiated Users

Higher education institutions manage vast and diverse data sets every day, ranging from student records to cutting-edge research. Ensuring that this data is properly classified and stored in compliance with evolving regulations can be daunting. In this session, we will share how Arizona State University tackled this challenge by creating a streamlined, self-service wizard that assists users in accurately classifying their data and identifying the applicable regulations. Beyond classification, we’ll demonstrate how regulatory requirements can be directly mapped to approved storage solutions, offering a clear, actionable pathway for anyone handling institutional data.

Ben Archer, MBA, PMP, CIPP/US, CIPT, FIP, is a privacy and data governance leader with extensive experience in higher education and compliance. As Privacy Manager at Arizona State University, he drives enterprise-wide privacy strategy, ensuring alignment with a variety of regulations. Ben specializes in privacy program development, risk assessment and regulatory compliance. A frequent presenter, he has developed and delivered trainings on topics including privacy fundamentals, GDPR and data governance. 

Bri Mascheri is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with nearly a decade of experience across government and higher education sectors, specializing in security, incident response and audits. With a talent for transforming chaos into actionable strategies, she also excels in mentoring the next generation of cyber defenders. In the Matrix, everyone asks, “What is real?” and Bri asks, “What does accurate data really mean?”