What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data that can be used to identify a particular individual. This type of information is typically used to create or verify an account or to provide a service, such as a loan or insurance. It can include a person’s name, address, phone number, email address, Social Security number, driver’s license number, or any other unique identifier.
Examples of PII
PII can take many forms, and it is important for organizations to be aware of the types of data they collect and store that could be considered PII. Some examples include:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license number
- Credit card numbers
- Passport numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Medical information
- IP address
- Biometric data (fingerprints, retina scans, etc.)
Protecting PII
Organizations must take steps to protect PII, as it is sensitive and can be subject to data breaches and misuse. Organizations should ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to protect PII, such as encrypting data, using access controls, and conducting regular security audits. Additionally, organizations must be aware of any applicable laws or regulations that require additional protections for PII. In addition to protecting PII, organizations must also ensure that they are properly disposing of it when it is no longer needed. This includes securely deleting any stored data and properly shredding or destroying any physical documents containing PII.
Conclusion
PII is any data that can be used to identify an individual. It is important for organizations to be aware of the types of PII they collect and take steps to ensure it is properly protected and disposed of when it is no longer needed.Further Reading: