> This page is for Data Protection.

> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.eon.io/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.eon.io/_mcp/server.

# About Classification Policies

This article explains the basics of classification policies and how they work in Eon.

A classification policy sets which resources Eon classifies and how often Eon scans them for [classification data][resource classifications], such as data classes, environment, and installed apps.

A classification policy runs alongside your [backup policies][about-backup-policies] as its own independent policy type.
It doesn't replace a backup policy, and it doesn't depend on a resource having one.
It never creates a snapshot and doesn't contribute to your backup posture.
It only schedules classification scans on any resource, regardless of whether that resource is also covered by a backup policy.

[resource classifications]: /data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-management/classifications/resource-classifications

[about-backup-policies]: /data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-configuration/backup-policies/about-backup-policies

## When to use a classification policy

Use a classification policy for compliance use cases that go beyond backup.
Many compliance frameworks require you to know what kind of data you have, not just whether it's backed up.
For example, ISO 27001 requires you to classify information assets, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires you to identify and protect stored cardholder and other financial data.

Classification policies let you discover and classify this kind of data on a recurring schedule, giving you a single view across your backup and data-protection compliance.
They also support [data access control] for that data, independent of whether the same resources are also covered by a backup policy.

[data access control]: /data-protection/account-administration/access-management/roles-and-permissions/about-roles-and-permissions#data-access-control

> **Note**
>
> Resources are also classified automatically the first time Eon discovers them, independent of any classification policy.
> A classification policy adds recurring classification scans on top of that.

## Resource selection

Resource selection for classification policies works the same way as [resource selection for backup policies][resource selection].
You can use a combination of dynamic resource selection (include all, use conditions, or exclude all) and manual overrides to determine which resources the policy applies to.

Classification policies support all resource types that Eon can scan.

[resource selection]: /data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-configuration/backup-policies/about-backup-policies#resource-selection

## Schedules

You can choose a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual frequency for the schedule, and set up either a [basic or advanced schedule][backup schedules], the same way you would for a backup policy.
Classification scans don't have a retention period, since no snapshot is created.

> **Note**
>
> Classification scans can run at most once a day, so sub-daily frequencies aren't available.

[backup schedules]: /data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-configuration/backup-policies/about-backup-policies#backup-schedules

[backup posture controls]: /data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-management/backup-posture-controls/about-controls

## Additional information

* [Manage Classification Policies](/data-protection/backup-and-protection/backup-configuration/classification-policies/manage-classification-policies)

* [About Backup Policies][about-backup-policies]

* [Resource Classifications][resource classifications]

* [About Controls][backup posture controls]