Personally identifiable information (PII)

PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information and describes any data that can be used to identify a specific individual. The term captures personal details that, when combined, can uniquely identify someone. PII typically includes information such as a person’s full name, social security number, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and financial account details.

The protection of PII is essential for maintaining privacy and preventing identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to personal information. Organizations and individuals that handle PII have a responsibility to handle it securely and comply with privacy regulations, and the cost of not doing so can be devastating to custodians of PII. Best practices for protecting PII include implementing robust security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and secure storage, to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of PII. It also means each and eerie one of us must be cautious when sharing PII and remain vigilant to potential risks associated with identity theft and data breaches.