Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data, either in digital or non-digital form, that can be used to identify an individual. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as well as biometric data, such as fingerprints or retinal scans. PII is often used by businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to authenticate users, such as when they are opening a new account.

PII is regulated by many organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These organizations have established specific guidelines for the protection and use of PII. Companies must establish reasonable security practices that meet the requirements of each regulation. This includes encrypting data, restricting access to valid users, and implementing other measures to ensure the privacy and security of PII.

Companies are also responsible for properly disposing of collected PII. Proper disposal practices are important to ensure that personal information is not exposed to unauthorized persons. There are various methods for ensuring proper disposal of PII, such as hard drive wiping and data destruction services.

PII is an important tool for verifying identities and preventing fraud. However, it is important to properly protect it, as it can be easily misused or stolen for malicious purposes. Organizations must have a well-developed plan for protecting PII, as well as appropriate procedures for disposing of it.