Methods and systems for data backup based on data classification

A computer-executed method comprising:

• maintaining a plurality of data storage systems for storing electronic data containing one or more processors having circuitry and logic that perform calculations and logic operations in communication with an external metadata management system containing one or more processors having circuitry and logic that perform calculations and logic operations;
• operating the metadata management system to store metadata corresponding to the electronic data stored on the plurality of data storage systems;
• identifying, using information included in the metadata management system, a candidate electronic data set stored on at least one of the plurality of data storage systems on which at least one of a plurality of backup actions should be performed;
• in response to identifying the candidate electronic data set, identifying the at least one of the plurality of backup actions, wherein identifying the at least one of a plurality of backup actions comprises:
• identifying one or more custom tags for metadata corresponding to the candidate electronic data set;
• and
• using the one or more custom tags to identify the at least one of a plurality of backup actions;
• and
• executing the at least one of a plurality of backup actions on the candidate electronic data set stored on the plurality of data storage systems, wherein each of the plurality of backup actions comprises storing the candidate electronic data set in secondary storage different than the plurality of data storage systems and in a form different than the format stored on the plurality of data storage systems.