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Data Types

WSU collects and maintains a variety of information/data, including information about students, faculty, staff, and others. This information is collected in order to conduct university business. The university classifies information in two categories based on federal and state law. 

Private/Sensitive Data

"Private/Sensitive" information is defined as Sensitive Information in PPM 10-1, the Information Security Policy, can only be released to the subject of the information and to those within the university who have a legitimate need to know the information, outside entities with the subject's written permission and others as allowed by law. Some private information, like protected health information (PHI) and electronic PHI, is protected by law.

Sensitive Data Examples

Public Data

According to law, "Public" information means information that is collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business.  Public information is available to anyone who requests it, except in the case of student data, were the student has requested that no public information about him/her be released without express written permission.

Public Data Examples

For further data classification information, please go to WSU Data Classification Matrix chart.