Personally identifiable information (PII) refers to any data that can directly or indirectly identify an individual. When combined with other relevant details, PII creates a unique identifier, making it essential to safeguard such information.
PII can be categorized into sensitive and non-sensitive information.
This includes data that directly identifies someone and, if compromised, can lead to significant harm, such as identity theft:
Social Security Number (SSN)
Driver’s license
Passport information
Financial details (e.g., credit card or bank account numbers)
Medical records
Sensitive PII often requires encryption and anonymization when shared or stored.
Nonsensitive PII, often publicly accessible, includes items that cannot directly identify someone but, when combined with other data, could:
ZIP code
Race
Gender
Date of birth
Place of birth
Though not inherently harmful on its own, threat actors can use non-sensitive PII in various ways when pieced together with other data, including in social engineering attacks.
Protecting PII is vital to minimizing data breaches and identity theft. Here's how you can enhance protection:
Limit Data Collection: Only gather sensitive PII for highly necessary purposes.
Encrypt Sensitive Information: Use encryption techniques to secure PII during storage and transfer.
Regular Deletion: Remove data that is no longer needed for its intended purpose.
Monitor Third-Party Sharing: Share PII only with trusted partners who comply with data protection standards.
Obtain Explicit Consent: Always seek clear, informed consent from end users before collecting, storing, or sharing their PII. Make the process straightforward and transparent, giving them control over how their data is used.
Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities to steal PII. They may use phishing emails or fake websites to gather sensitive data or even dig through physical trash for unopened mail. A single leak can result in compromised identities sold on illegal marketplaces.
The rapid growth of technology and data-sharing has reshaped how businesses and individuals handle PII. Advancements such as remote work, telemedicine, and IoT devices have increased efficiencies but also brought about heightened risks.
Across industries like healthcare and financial services, sensitive data breaches have skyrocketed. For example, the 2015 IRS breach exposed over 100,000 taxpayers’ records through stolen quasi-identifiers (e.g., partial SSNs combined with birthdates). Such incidents highlight the importance of stringent regulations to prevent misuse.
While it may seem harmless, non-sensitive PII can enable attacks when combined with intelligent techniques like de-anonymization. Additionally, Cybercriminals can use partial data sets to identify specific individuals, enabling fraud or unauthorized access.
Globally, different regions define and regulate PII in unique ways to align with cultural or legal standards.
United States: Defines PII as any data that traces an individual’s identity, including biometrics.
European Union (GDPR): Expands PII to include quasi-identifiers like IP addresses and more stringent rules on data processing. GDPR security awareness training helps teach employees about GDPR privacy compliance in less than 10 minutes.
Australia (Privacy Act 1988): Covers all personal information, introducing additional measures for healthcare and breach response.
To lessen your vulnerability to identity theft:
Use encrypted devices and strong, unique passwords for every account.
Avoid carrying sensitive documents like your Social Security card unnecessarily.
Shred sensitive papers before disposal.
When donating or selling devices, wipe and reformat hard drives.
PII breaches are costly both financially and reputationally. Consider major incidents like the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, where 30 million users’ data was mishandled without consent, leading to legal repercussions and a sharp decline in user trust. Similarly, businesses like Equifax and Amazon have faced heavy fines for their lapses in PII protection.
What Is PII? Personal data (like SSNs or passport data) that can uniquely identify individuals.
Why It Matters: Exposed PII leads to fraud, identity theft, or financial harm.
How to Protect It:
Encrypt sensitive data.
Limit unnecessary collection and sharing.
Follow privacy laws like GDPR and PIPEDA.
Stay Vigilant by regularly monitoring device security, organizational policies, and online activity.
By prioritizing effective safeguards and staying informed about global regulations, individuals and businesses can ensure PII remains secure in a rapidly advancing digital economy.
