> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.datadefender.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.datadefender.io/portal-overview/settings/classification-profiles.md).
# Classification Profiles
The Classification Profiles page is where you define and manage the rules DataDefender uses to classify your data. It has two tabs: **Profiles** (which group data patterns together) and **Custom Data Patterns** (individual detection rules).
***
### Profiles Tab
#### Predefined Profiles
DataDefender ships with a set of built-in classification profiles based on common industry and compliance frameworks (e.g. PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR). These profiles are read-only and cannot be modified or deleted.
| Column | Description |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Profile Name | Name of the predefined profile |
| Data Patterns | Number of data patterns in this profile |
| Resources Monitored | Number of resources currently monitored |
| Last Hit | Last time a given profile was detected |
Click **View Details** on any predefined profile to see which data patterns it contains.
#### Custom Profiles
Custom profiles are organization-specific profiles that you create and manage. They allow you to group data patterns that are relevant to your specific business context.
| Column | Description |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Profile Name | Name of your custom profile |
| Data Pattern Count | Number of data patterns assigned to this profile |
| Status | Active or Inactive |
**Actions per profile:**
* **View:** View profile details including data patterns, creation date, status
* **Edit:** Modify the profile name, status, or assigned data patterns
* **Delete:** Permanently remove the profile (you will be asked to confirm)
**Creating a Custom Profile**
1. Click **Create New Profile**.
2. Enter a profile name.
3. Select data patterns from the library on the left.
4. Click **Add Selected Patterns** to assign them to the profile.
5. Set the profile status (Active or Inactive).
6. Click **Save Profile**.
***
### Custom Data Patterns Tab
Custom data patterns are individual detection rules, typically regular expressions, that define what counts as a match during a classification scan.
| Column | Description |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Pattern Name | Name of the data pattern |
| Severity | How serious a match is: Critical, High, Medium, or Low |
| Detection Method | How matches are detected (e.g. Regex) |
| Version | Pattern version number |
| Actions | Modify or delete custom data pattern |
**Actions per pattern:**
* **Edit:** Modify the pattern definition
* **Delete:** Remove the pattern (you will be asked to confirm)
**Creating a Custom Data Pattern**
1. Click **Create Custom Data Pattern**.
2. Fill in the **Pattern Name** and select a **Severity** level.
3. Optionally add a **Description**.
4. Enter your **Regular Expression** in the detection field. Use the **Regex Syntax Guide** button for reference.
5. Use the **Testing Sandbox** on the right to paste sample text and verify your regex matches what you expect.
6. Optionally assign the pattern to one or more existing custom profiles.
7. Click **Create Data Pattern**.
***
### Tips
* Activate only the profiles relevant to your compliance requirements to reduce noise in classification results.
* Test your regex patterns thoroughly in the sandbox before saving, incorrect patterns can produce false positives or miss real matches.
* A data pattern can belong to multiple profiles. You do not need to duplicate patterns if they apply to more than one framework.