Data is categorized as restricted or unrestricted, based upon the level of security required for adequately protecting the data. UC Berkeley's Data Management, Use, and Protection Policy states that, "campus data must be managed, used, and protected in accordance with federal and state law and University of California and campus policies so as to ensure its integrity, availability, privacy, and confidentiality."

The Restricted Data Management (RDM) system is used by the campus to inform System and Network Security (SNS) about systems throughout the University that collect or use restricted data.