What Is Considered PII?
Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is any information that can be used to identify an individual. This includes your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, birth date, and financial information. It also includes anything that can be used to distinguish you from other people, such as your fingerprints, voice, or photographs. In short, PII is any data that can be used to uniquely identify you.
Why Is PII So Important?
PII is important because it provides organizations with the ability to track and monitor individuals. It helps them make decisions and take actions that affect the lives of their customers. For example, banks use PII to verify identities and ensure that customers are who they say they are. Employers use PII to verify employment eligibility and background checks.
How Is PII Protected?
Organizations must protect PII from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, destruction, or alteration. This means that organizations must have security measures in place to protect PII from hackers and other cybercriminals. These measures include encryption, two-factor authentication, and access control. It also includes data security policies and procedures, such as employee training and data destruction policies.
What Are the Consequences of Not Protecting PII?
Not protecting PII can have serious consequences. For instance, if hackers gain access to an organization’s PII, they can use it to commit identity theft or other fraud. This can lead to financial losses, damage to an organization’s reputation, and even legal action. Organizations must take steps to protect their customers’ PII, as well as their own.
What Are the Best Practices for Protecting PII?
Organizations should use the following best practices to protect PII:
Encryption
Encryption is a method of scrambling data so that it can’t be read without the proper key. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access the data.
Access Control
Access control restricts who can access PII. Organizations should use access control to limit access to only those who need it.
Data Security Policies and Procedures
Organizations should have data security policies and procedures in place to protect PII. These policies should cover employee training, data destruction, and other security measures.
Data Destruction
Organizations should have a data destruction policy in place to ensure that PII is destroyed when it is no longer needed. This prevents PII from falling into the wrong hands.
Conclusion
PII is any information that can be used to identify an individual. It is important to protect PII from unauthorized access and use. Organizations should use encryption, access control, data security policies and procedures, and data destruction to protect PII. Doing so will help protect customers’ PII and an organization’s reputation.
