What is Metadata?

Understanding Metadata

Information about the data. Metadata is structured information that describes explains locates or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve use or manage data. It includes details such as creation date author file size format location modification history and various attributes about the data. Metadata management is addressed in frameworks like ISO 27001 GDPR NIST SP 800-53 and various information management standards. Organizations manage metadata through data governance programs metadata repositories classification schemes catalog systems and retention policies. For example a document management system might capture and store metadata about each document including creation date author department classification level retention period and approved user groups using this information to enforce access controls and lifecycle management rules. Related terms Data governance Data classification Information lifecycle management Document management Data dictionary Tagging File properties.