> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.box.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using security classification

<div className="article_labels_list" style={{display: 'none'}} dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{__html: "Security , End User , classification , Article , Established , Instruction , Secure"}} />

If you're a content owner or co-owner, Box enables you to apply a security classification label to your files, and cascade a classification label to your folders and their contents. Using the classification labels created by your organization's Box admin, you can better protect your shared sensitive content from negligent access.

## Applying a classification to a file.

**To apply a classification label to a file:**

1. In your**Files** window, click beside the file's name to highlight it.
2. In the top of the window, click **More Options** > **Classify**.
3. Under **Select Classification**, click the down arrow and select a classification label. A file can have only one classification label.
4. In the bottom of the window, click **Apply**.

Here's a video showing how to [apply a classification to a file](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wJoPyzbVXw\&feature=youtu.be).

## Applying a cascading classification to a folder

Box also enables you to apply a cascading classification to a folder. When you apply a cascading classification to a folder, Box applies your selected classification to the folder and also applies the classification label to all of the folder's contents. If the folder or folder's contents have a differing security classification, you override the existing classifications with the new classification. As long as the folder's cascading classification is enabled, content added to the folder inherits the classification.

**To apply a cascading classification to a folder:**

1. In your**Files** window, click beside the folder's name to highlight it.
2. In the top of the window, click **More Options** > **Classify**.
3. Under **Select Classification**, click the down arrow and select a classification label. A folder can have only one classification label.
4. To apply your selected classification as a replacement to all existing classifications, click **Overwrite all existing classifications with this value.**
5. In the bottom of the window, click **Apply**.

After you apply a classification, Box displays the classification badge under Details in the right-hand sidebar, and next to the file's or folder's name in Preview when people select it or preview its contents.

## Searching for classified content

**To search for all content bearing a given classification:**

1. In the top of your Box window, in the **Search Files and Folders** field click the advanced search icon.
2. Select the **Metadata** tab
3. Under **Metadata Template**, click **Select a Template** and select **Classification**.
4. Under **Classification**, click **Select Value** and select the classification label.
5. To launch the search, do one of the following:
   * in the top of your Box window, in the **Search Files and Folders** field click the search icon (magnification glass), or
   * on your keyboard press Enter .

## FAQ

**Who can add, edit, or delete a classification label for content?**

The content's owner can add, edit, and delete classification labels. Your Box admin may also enable people with Co-owner, Editor and Viewer Uploader permissions to do so, as well. Here are the possible combinations:

* Owner, or
* Owner and Co-owner, or
* Owner, Co-owner, and Editor, or
* Owner, Co-owner, Editor, and Viewer Uploader.

External people cannot add, edit, or delete classification labels.

**How long does it take to cascade classifications into a folder?**\
Applying a cascading classification is usually immediate, but may take some time for an extremely large folder structure.

**Can I undo a cascaded classification?**

Yes, you can remove classifications at the folder level.

1. Click next to the folder to highlight it.
2. At the top of the **Files** window, click **More Options** > **Classify**. Box displays the Classify All Content window.
3. At the bottom of the Classify All Content window click **Remove**.
4. Select to either
   * remove the current classification, or
   * remove all classifications.
5. Click **I understand this cannot be undone and operation may take time based on volume of content**.
6. Click **Remove**.