Using Bit Combinations to Establish Hierarchies

By defining a word that uses one bit and a second word that uses that same bit along with a second bit, you define a hierarchical relationship between the two words. The compartment word that is more general must be defined below the word that is more specific.

For example, by defining a word that uses bit number 1 and another word that uses bits number 1 and 2, you give the two words a hierarchical relationship. The following screen example shows definitions for a Sales compartment with two subcompartments, Direct Sales, and Indirect Sales. It supposes that a single classification named WebCo is defined.

Figure 2-1 Bit Combinations Defining Hierarchical Relationships

name= Direct_Sales;   compartments= 1, 2
name= Indirect_Sales;   compartments= 1, 3
name= Sales;   compartments= 1

The definition in the screen example allows the WebCo company to differentiate between documents that can be accessed by anyone in the entire sales force, documents that can be accessed only by members of the indirect sales force, and documents that can be accessed only by members of the direct sales force.

• The Security Administrator can give the WebCo Direct_Sales clearance to employees in the direct sales organization and give the WebCo Indirect_Sales clearance to employees in the indirect sales organization.

• Documents created by anyone working at the WebCo Direct_Sales label get the same label, so the documents are only accessible to employees in the direct sales department.

• Anyone in the indirect or direct sales forces can work at the WebCo Sales label because the compartment word Sales is below both the Direct_Sales and Indirect_Sales words. Creating documents at the WebCo Sales label makes the documents available to everyone in the Sales department.