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Data Classification Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Novul Solutions

Data Architect - TS/SCI

Arlington, VA · On-site

$73.50 - $94.50/hr

Establish and manage enterprise-wide data classification and categorization standards based on sensitivity, mission-criticality, and regulatory requirements. * Lead coordination and deployment of ...

Deloitte

Cyber Data Protection Manager

Richmond, VA · Hybrid

$109K - $148K/yr

Data Classification, Labeling and Rights Management technologies such as Microsoft Purview. * Digital Code Signing operations and management * Database Encryption technologies * Understanding of ...

Citizant Inc

Senior Data Protection Analyst

Haymarket, VA · On-site

$165K - $175K/yr

Lead the development and implementation of enterprise data categorization and classification frameworks in support of the CDO's Zero Trust Data Pillar, ensuring accurate identification and protection ...

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All JobsData Classification JobsData Classification Jobs in Virginia

Data Classification information

See Virginia salary details

$45.6K

$163.6K

$241.4K

How much do data classification jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for data classification in Virginia is $163,603.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,400.00 and $168,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the role of data classification?

Data classification is a key responsibility in data management roles, involving categorizing data based on sensitivity, importance, or confidentiality. It helps organizations implement appropriate security measures, comply with regulations, and improve data handling efficiency. Professionals often use tools like data catalogs and classification frameworks to perform this task effectively.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

High-paying roles in data classification or related fields typically include senior data scientists, data engineers, or consultants working on large-scale projects, often earning $2,000 or more per day through contract or consulting arrangements. These positions usually require advanced skills in data analysis, machine learning, or data management, and may involve working with enterprise-level data systems or specialized tools. Such roles are often project-based, with compensation reflecting expertise and experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Data Classification position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Data Classification, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in data management or information science, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with data classification tools, data loss prevention (DLP) systems, and certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are commonly beneficial. Good communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you excel in collaborating with IT, compliance, and business teams. These competencies are critical for accurately categorizing data, maintaining security standards, and ensuring regulatory compliance across an organization.

What is a Data Classification job?

A Data Classification job involves organizing and labeling data based on its sensitivity, importance, or type to ensure proper handling, security, and compliance. Professionals in this role categorize data according to predefined policies and frameworks, helping organizations safeguard sensitive information and optimize data management. They work closely with security, compliance, and IT teams to implement classification strategies and improve data governance.

What are the 4 types of data classification?

Data classification involves categorizing data based on its sensitivity and importance. The four common types are public, internal, confidential, and restricted data. Data classification helps organizations implement appropriate security measures and compliance protocols.

What are the typical challenges faced in a Data Classification role?

A common challenge in Data Classification is accurately identifying and categorizing large volumes of diverse and sometimes ambiguous data, which requires both technical proficiency and critical thinking. Balancing the need for data accessibility with strict security and compliance requirements can also pose difficulties. Collaboration with various departments, such as IT and legal, is often necessary to implement organization-wide classification policies and ensure consistent practices. By staying up-to-date with data protection regulations and evolving technology, professionals in this role can effectively address these challenges and contribute significantly to their organization’s information security strategy.

What are the data classification levels C1 C2 C3 C4?

In data classification, levels like C1, C2, C3, and C4 typically represent increasing sensitivity or confidentiality, with C1 being the most public and C4 the most restricted. Data classification roles, such as Data Classification specialists, often involve assigning data to these levels based on organizational policies, security requirements, and compliance standards. Understanding these levels helps ensure proper data handling, access control, and security measures are applied.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Classification jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Data Classification jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Classification jobs in Virginia? For Data Classification jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Classification jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Data Classification jobs in Virginia are:
Data Classification jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Classification job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $163,603 per year, or $78.7 per hour.

ZERO TRUST (ZT) DATA SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

Hiring Our Heroes

Arlington, VA • Hybrid

$98K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

ZERO TRUST (ZT) DATA SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Zero Trust Data Subject Matter Expert (ZT Data SME) exists to provide senior-level advisory expertise in assessing, analyzing, and advancing the agency's enterprise data security and data governance posture in alignment with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles. This role serves as the program's authoritative advisory voice on the Data pillar of the CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0 (ZTMM v2.0), translating federal ZT mandates, including OMB M-22-09, EO 14028, and NIST SP 800-207, into recommended data classification, data access control, and data governance frameworks for agency consideration and concurrence. All advisory products produced by this position are subject to TSA review and concurrence prior to any agency action.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

General Duties

  • Provide senior advisory guidance on the assessment and advancement of the agency's enterprise data classification, data governance, and data access control posture in support of Zero Trust Architecture implementation.
  • Continuously monitor the federal ZT policy and regulatory landscape, including EOs, OMB memoranda, NIST publications, CISA guidance, and NSA Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines (ZIGs), as they relate to data-layer security requirements; develop recommended updates to program advisory positions for leadership review.
  • Conduct comprehensive gap analyses of existing agency data classification schemas, data access policy frameworks, and data lifecycle governance practices against CISA ZTMM v2.0 Data pillar criteria; develop recommended enhancement approaches for agency concurrence.
  • Provide advisory support for the development and continuous maturation of the agency's ZT Common Control Catalog, with specific focus on data-layer control mappings to NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 control families and CISA ZTMM v2.0 Data pillar maturity indicators.
  • Develop recommended updates to the ZT Roadmap and Implementation Plan, incorporating data pillar maturity advancement priorities and data governance enhancement recommendations for agency review.
  • Apply real-time analysis of data access telemetry, CDM data-layer indicators, and behavioral risk signals to proactively surface emerging data exposure vectors and recommend advisory responses for agency consideration.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional ZT pillar SMEs to validate data policy outcomes and provide recommended approaches ensuring data layer integration across Identity, Devices, Networks, and Applications & Workloads pillar assessments.
  • Support all internal and external ZT data calls, requests, audits, and compliance updates related to the Data pillar; ensure recommended responses align with CISA ZTMM v2.0 criteria and applicable federal mandates.
  • Develop recommended new and revised data governance policy documents and data security SOPs; all final documentation requires TSA concurrence prior to issuance.
  • Provide senior advisory support to ZT leadership on data pillar planning, scheduling, solution development, reporting, and integration activities as directed by the ZT SME Team Leader.
  • Leverage AI-assisted analysis tools, automation platforms, and prompt engineering techniques to enhance the efficiency, depth, and quality of data pillar advisory assessments and deliverables.

Subject Matter Expertise (SME) Area #1 – Zero Trust Data Classification, Governance & Access Control

  • Expert-level mastery of CISA ZTMM v2.0 Data pillar maturity criteria with demonstrated ability to conduct authoritative gap assessments and recommend targeted advancement strategies.
  • Authoritative knowledge of federal data security mandates including OMB M-22-09, EO 14028, NIST SP 800-207, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, and applicable FISMA requirements as they relate to data classification, data access, and data lifecycle governance.
  • Demonstrated capability to lead enterprise-scale data classification and data governance assessment efforts in a federal environment; ability to translate policy requirements into operationally actionable recommended frameworks.
  • Expert-level proficiency in data-layer ZT control assessment, including attribute-based access control (ABAC), policy-based access control (PBAC), data labeling and tagging implementations, DLP capability maturity, and CASB integration assessment.
  • Independent advisory judgment on data classification schema design, data access policy framework development, and CDM data-layer telemetry coverage assessment.
  • Problem-solving at the intersection of data governance policy and operational data security implementation; ability to diagnose data-layer ZT maturity gaps and develop recommended remediation pathways that are technically sound and agency-achievable.

SME Area #2 – Enterprise Data Security Architecture & Technical Domain Fluency

  • Foundational working knowledge of enterprise data security architectures including cloud data platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), hybrid cloud data environments, data warehouse and data lake security configurations, and SaaS data protection mechanisms.
  • Familiarity with enterprise data security tooling including DLP platforms, CASB solutions, SIEM data-layer analytics, and CDM program data telemetry capabilities and their intersection with ZT Data pillar maturity advancement.
  • Understanding of encryption at rest and in transit implementation patterns, key management practices, and data sovereignty considerations as they relate to ZT data access control policy application.
  • Supports primary ZT data advisory function by enabling cross-domain assessment that spans the full data lifecycle from data creation and classification through access, sharing, retention, and disposal across diverse TSA system types.
  • Interacts directly with pillar SMEs (Identity, Network, Devices, Applications & Workloads) to validate data-layer policy integration and ensure recommended data access control frameworks are operationally coherent across all CISA ZTMM v2.0 pillars.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements

  • A minimum of 10 years of IT cybersecurity experience, including direct support to U.S. Government programs in a data security, information assurance, or ZT advisory capacity.
  • Expert knowledge of NIST SP 800-207, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, FISMA, and federal ZT mandates including OMB M-22-09 and EO 14028 as applied to data classification and data access governance.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead data security and data governance advisory assessments directly supporting ZT Data pillar implementation in a federal environment.
  • Experience developing or maturing enterprise ZT artifacts including Data pillar assessments, data classification schemas, data governance frameworks, and ZT Common Control Catalog data-layer mappings.
  • Proven experience translating federal ZT and data security mandates into actionable agency-level data policy frameworks, data access process changes, and governance control recommendations.
  • Experience supporting or leading ZT-related IG CIGIE metrics reporting or FISMA ZT compliance submissions as they relate to Data pillar requirements.
  • Superb written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to navigate highly political client environments and deliver advisory products that reflect agency priorities and sensitivities.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with AI-assisted analysis tools or prompt engineering; ability to apply AI-enabled capabilities to enhance data classification assessment, telemetry analysis, and advisory deliverable development.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior direct involvement in a federal ZT pilot program or enterprise ZT deployment in a planning, advisory, or assessment capacity with specific data pillar accountability.
  • Experience developing or significantly maturing a ZT Common Control Catalog aligned to NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 with Data pillar control inheritance classification.
  • Familiarity with SAFe for Government (SGP) or equivalent agile delivery methodology in a federal program environment.
  • Experience with IG CIGIE audit preparation and response in the context of federal ZT or FISMA compliance, specifically related to data security metrics.

Competencies

  • Technical: CISA ZTMM v2.0 (Data pillar), NIST SP 800-207, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, RMF, FISMA, IG CIGIE ZT metrics, DLP/CASB/SIEM platforms, ABAC/PBAC frameworks, CDM data telemetry, data classification methodologies.
  • Leadership: Senior advisory engagement with CISO-level and senior federal leadership; ability to bridge data security policy requirements and operational implementation advisory needs; cross-pillar SME coordination.
  • Behavioral: Proactive data risk identification and real-time advisory posture; political acumen in complex federal stakeholder environments; precision in policy documentation and advisory product development.

Education & Certifications

  • Minimum of a Bachelor of Science (or higher) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or a closely related field.
  • Required: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
  • Strongly preferred: Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE); Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM); or Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO). Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Authorization Professional (CAP/CGRC) also strongly preferred.

WORK LOCATION

  • Hybrid – Primarily Remote. Occasional onsite work required at the client location in Springfield, VA. Schedule subject to change based on client requirements.

HOURS OF OPERATION

  • Business Hours: 8:00 AM EST – 4:30 PM EST.
  • Core Hours: 9:00 AM EST – 3:00 PM EST.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

  • Reports To: ZT SME Team Lead
  • Direct Reports:

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