Which of the following is the PRIMARY prerequisite to implementing data classification within an organization? 

Answer options:

A. Defining job roles
B. Performing a risk assessment
C. Identifying data owners
D. Establishing data retention policies

C

Identifying the data owners is the first step, and is essential to implementing data classification. Defining job roles is not relevant. Performing a risk assessment is important, but will require the participation of data owners (who must first be identified). Establishing data retention policies may occur after data have been classified.