How should a financial organization categorize a document containing sensitive customer information, including financial details and social security numbers?

A financial organization should categorize a document containing sensitive customer information, including financial details and social security numbers, as confidential data. This classification is crucial because it signifies that the information is privileged and must be protected from unauthorized access. Confidential data is intended to be shared only with specific individuals or entities who have a legitimate need to know, such as authorized personnel within the financial organization or customers themselves under certain secure circumstances.

The sensitivity of the information, which includes personal financial details and social security numbers, makes it particularly vulnerable to identity theft and fraud if it falls into the wrong hands. Therefore, appropriate measures must be in place to ensure its confidentiality, such as encryption, access controls, and auditing mechanisms. By categorizing such documents as confidential, the organization acknowledges the need for stringent safeguards to maintain the privacy and security of its customers' sensitive information.