Class - MD_SecurityConstraints

When constraints information (MD_Constraints) concern security issues they should be captured using the class MD_SecurityConstraints.

• Governance - ISO, Common, Agency
• Metadata type - structural
• ICSM Level of Agreement - ⭑⭑

Definition

Handling restrictions imposed on the resource or metadata for national security or similar security concerns.

ISO Associations

The class, MD_SecurityConstraints is an specialisation of MD_Constraints. Follow the guidance provided for that class plus the following additional guidance.

Attributes -

MD_SecurityConstraints has all the attributes of MD_Constraints plus the following:

• classification - (codelist - MD_RestrictionCode) [0..*] Mandatory when using MD_SecurityConstraints - the name of the handling restrictions on the resource or metadata
• userNote - (type - charStr) [0..1] explanation of the application of the legal constraints or other restrictions and legal prerequisites for obtaining and using the resource or metadata
• classificationSystem - (type - charStr) [0..1] name of the classification system
• handlingDescription - (type - charStr) [0..1] additional information about the restrictions on handling the resource or metadata

Discussion

Information about constraints on the access and use of a resource or its metadata is of high importance to document as this information strongly impacts on the usability of the resource to the user. Constraints may be security (MD_SecurityConstraints), legal (MD_LegalConstraints) or other (MD_Constraints).

A restriction may be applicable to a particular aspect of the resource. In this case capture this scope in constraintApplicationScope using a value from MD_Scope

Many of the resources and even its metadata may carry some security restrictions regarding their access and use. The reasons may be for national security, financial or commercial sensitivity, or privacy concerns as is common with census data. These security restrictions need be documented for users and resource managers along with the identity of the applier of these constraints. Each agency needs to develop consistent guidance on the use of such statement and share clear understanding of their meaning. This is often done by reference to an external body that manages the definitions of the security constraints applied.

Outstanding Issues

Best Practice examples lacking There is a need to gain greater consensus as to the general use of MD_SecurityConstraints across its instances by the MDWG.

Australia Protective Security Policy Framework A best practice method of using the new Australia Protective Security Policy Framework in ISO 19115-1 must be created by the MDWG. While classificationSystem allows use to declare the security framework we are using, it does not do so as a citation whick limits our ability to document our reference properly. Also, how to include the values in the framework is not clear. Extending MD_RestrictionCode seems the most obvious, but is changing an ISO codelist the best approach given we want our recommendations not to change the underlying ISO 19115-1.

Best Practice Recommendations

Therefore - it is important to capture all security constraints that apply to a resource, including its metadata. If there be none then it may be useful to state this fact through the use of the unclassified value of MD_RestrictionCode, particularly if your organisation does regularly handle sensitive resources. Agencies should develop consistent guidance on the use of security classifications and share clear understanding of their meaning with users.

At a minimum the Name (primary and alternate) and version by which this security restriction on the access and use of this cited resource is known should be captured along with the classification value selected from the codelist - MD_ClassificationCode.

Crosswalk considerations

ISO 19139

See guidance provided in MD_Constraints

Related Classes

• MD_Constraints the Superclass to MD_LegalConstraints. MD_LegalConstraints implements all the properties of MD_Constraints. Full guidance of the associated elements are discussed there.
• MD_LegalConstraints A sibling to MD_SecurityConstraints and an extension to MD_Constraints for constraints applied for legal purposes.

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UML diagrams

Recommended elements highlighted in yellow

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