What Is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

What Is PII In Different Compliances?

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a term used in various compliance frameworks to refer to the same concept of sensitive information that can identify an individual. However, the specific definition and scope of PII may vary slightly across different compliance regulations. Here are a few examples:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Under the GDPR, PII is referred to as “personal data” and includes any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. It encompasses a broad range of data, including names, identification numbers, location data, online identifiers, and more.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): In the context of HIPAA, PII is known as “protected health information” (PHI). It includes individually identifiable health information that is created or maintained by covered entities, such as healthcare providers or health insurers.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS focuses on protecting payment card information. While not explicitly using the term PII, it includes cardholder data, which can be a form of PII. This includes primary account numbers (PANs), cardholder names, and other sensitive authentication data.
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): The CCPA defines PII as information that identifies relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household. It includes traditional PII elements along with online identifiers, browsing history, and geolocation data.

8 Ways To Safeguard PII

Here are eight effective ways to safeguard Personally Identifiable Information (PII):

1. Implement strong access controls: Limit access to PII by enforcing strong authentication measures, such as passwords, two-factor authentication, and role-based access controls. Only grant access to individuals who require it for their job responsibilities.
2. Encrypt sensitive data: Encrypt PII both at rest and in transit. Encryption converts data into an unreadable form, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or interception.
3. Regularly update software and systems: Keep your software, operating systems, and security patches up to date. Regular updates help protect against known vulnerabilities and security flaws.
4. Educate employees on security practices: Train your employees on the importance of safeguarding PII, the risks associated with data breaches, and best practices for handling sensitive information. Promote a culture of security awareness and accountability.
5. Use secure network connections: Ensure that your network connections are secure, especially when transmitting PII. Utilize secure protocols, such as HTTPS, for web communications and virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote access.
6. Implement strong data disposal practices: Establish procedures for securely disposing of PII when it is no longer in need. Use secure data deletion methods or physical destruction techniques so that it doesn’t recover.
7. Regularly monitor and audit systems: Implement monitoring and auditing mechanisms to detect and respond to any unauthorized access attempts or unusual activities involving PII. Promptly investigate and address any security incidents.
8. Have a comprehensive data breach response plan: Develop a well-defined plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a data breach. This includes notifying affected individuals, and regulatory bodies, and taking appropriate remedial actions to mitigate the impact.

Why Protecting PII Is Important?

Protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is important for several reasons:

• Privacy: PII includes personal details that individuals may want to keep private, such as their full names, addresses, and financial information. Safeguarding PII respects individuals’ privacy rights and helps maintain trust in organizations that handle their personal data.
• Identity theft prevention: PII is often a target of identity thieves who can misuse it for fraudulent activities. Such as opening unauthorized accounts, making purchases, or applying for loans in someone else’s name. Protecting PII reduces the risk of identity theft and its associated financial and emotional consequences.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations in place that require organizations to protect PII. Compliance with these regulations, such as the GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and others, helps organizations avoid legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of business.
• Trust and reputation: When organizations prioritize PII protection, it demonstrates their commitment to customer privacy and security. This builds trust among customers, employees, and partners, enhancing the organization’s reputation and competitiveness in the market.
• Financial implications: Data breaches and mishandling of PII can lead to significant financial losses for organizations. They may incur costs related to legal actions, regulatory fines, remediation efforts, and potential lawsuits from affected individuals. By safeguarding PII, organizations can mitigate these financial risks.
• Compliance with industry standards: Various industries, such as healthcare, finance, and technology, have specific security standards and best practices. Protecting PII is often a requirement for complying with these industry standards, certifications, and contractual obligations.
• Data sharing and collaboration: In certain situations, organizations may need to share or collaborate on data containing PII. Implementing proper safeguards ensures that PII is protected during such exchanges, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or unintended exposure.

Conclusion