PII can be used for any number of criminal activities including identity theft, fraud, and social engineering attacks. It goes without saying that it is absolutely vital that individuals and companies protect their PII .
What is protecting PII?
Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as: Any representation of information that permits the identity of an individual to whom the information applies to be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. ... It is the responsibility of the individual user to protect data to which they have access .
Why does PII need to be protected?
Keeping PII private is important to ensure the integrity of your identity . With just a few bits of your personal information, thieves can create false accounts in your name, start racking up debt, or even create a falsified passport and sell your identity to a criminal.
What is the purpose of PII?
Personally identifiable information (PII) is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify an individual . Sensitive personally identifiable information can include your full name, Social Security Number, driver’s license, financial information, and medical records.
How do we protect PII?
- Discover and classify your PII. ...
- Perform risk assessments. ...
- Create the right access and privilege model. ...
- Use encryption. ...
- Don’t store PII you don’t need. ...
- Document your policies and procedures for handling sensitive data.
What is a PII violation?
One of the most familiar PII violations is identity theft , said Sparks, adding that when people are careless with information, such as Social Security numbers and people’s date of birth, they can easily become the victim of the crime. ...
What is not PII?
What are some examples of non-PII? Info such as business phone numbers and race, religion, gender, workplace, and job titles are typically not considered PII. But they should still be treated as sensitive, linkable info because they could identify an individual when combined with other data.
Who is responsible for protecting PII?
Generally, the responsibility is shared with the organization holding the PII and the individual owner of the data . That said, while you might not be legally responsible. Most consumers believe that it is your responsibility to protect their personal data.
What is PII data examples?
Personally identifiable information, or PII, is any data that could potentially be used to identify a particular person. Examples include a full name, Social Security number, driver’s license number, bank account number, passport number, and email address .
Which type of safeguarding involves restricting PII access to people?
Technical Safeguards : Technology-based instruments and procedures used to protect private information such as requiring Common Access Cards for System Access and encrypting computers and emails.
Is birthday a PII?
The following types of PII are considered sensitive when associated with an individual: Social Security Number (including truncated form), place of birth , date of birth, mother’s maiden name, biometric information, medical information (excluding brief references to absences from work), personal financial information, ...
What is the difference between PHI and PII?
PHI is an acronym of Protected Health Information, while PII is an acronym of Personally Identifiable Information . ... Health information relates to past, present, and future health conditions or physical/mental health that is related to the provision of healthcare services or payment for those services.
How do you become PII Compliant?
- Identify the PII your organization uses. ...
- Locate where PII is stored. ...
- Classify PII in terms of sensitivity. ...
- Establish an acceptable usage policy. ...
- Implement an encryption solution. ...
- Back up your solution with training.
Is PII a legal concept or technical?
PII is a legal term , not a technical one, and its meaning and connotations vary depending on the jurisdiction and context within which it is used.
What PII should be encrypted?
In broad terms, there are two types of data you should encrypt: personally identifiable information and confidential business intellectual property . PII includes any kind of information another person can use to uniquely identify you. This includes your driver’s license or social security number.
What is the penalty for disclosing PII?
An agency official who improperly discloses records with individually identifiable information or who maintains records without proper notice, is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $5,000 , if the official acts willfully.
