Patent ID: 7707178

Claim:
A method for updating a centralized database of metadata in a network comprising multiple computing devices storing multiple data objects, wherein the method is performed by one or more computing systems, each computing system having a processor and memory, the method comprising: receiving at a first time from one or more of the multiple computing devices multiple entries for the centralized database of metadata, wherein an entry includes information identifying a data object and information identifying one or more data classifications associated with the data object, wherein the one or more data classifications are generated using one or more characteristics of the data object, and wherein one or more of the multiple computing devices had been disconnected from the network for a period of time prior to the first time; determining one or more rules based on one or more policies to apply to the multiple entries, wherein the one or more policies provide an order of preference by which the multiple entries are to be integrated into the centralized database of metadata; applying the one or more rules to the multiple entries; based on the application of the one or more rules, after the period of time where the one or more of the multiple computing devices were disconnected from the network, determining by the one or more computing systems, the order of preference by which to integrate the multiple entries into the centralized database of metadata; and integrating the multiple entries into the centralized database of metadata according to the determined order of preference, wherein integrating includes— searching, within the centralized database of metadata, for metadata entries previously associated with a first data object; if metadata entries previously associated with the first data object are not found, then: adding metadata entries associated with the first data object to the centralized database of metadata; or if metadata entries previously associated with the first data object are found, then: updating the metadata entries in the centralized database of metadata with information associated with data classifications for the data objects based on the information identifying the first data object and information identifying the one or mere data classifications associated with the first data object.