Glossary definition: Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Protecting Your PII: A Guide to Privacy

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data that can be used to identify an individual, either directly or indirectly. This includes, but is not limited to, a person’s name, address, phone number, email address, Social Security number, driver’s license number, passport number, financial account information, biometric data, and any other unique identifier. PII is often collected and stored by organizations, such as employers, banks, and government agencies, for the purpose of providing services, conducting transactions, and maintaining records. It is important to note that PII can also be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft and fraud. As such, organizations must take steps to ensure that PII is collected, stored, and used responsibly. This includes implementing strong security measures, such as encryption and access control, as well as providing individuals with clear information about how their data is being used.