PII

PII is information that can be used to identify a specific individual. It includes apparent details like your name, social security number, email address, or phone number, but it can also extend to things like your IP address, passport number, or even biometric data like fingerprints and facial scans. If a piece of data can point directly to you (or be combined with other info to do so), it's considered PII (it's like digital breadcrumbs you leave behind that are uniquely tied to you).

You must protect your PII since it is an important component of everyday transactions, whether signing up for a service, making an online purchase, applying for a job, or visiting a doctor. For example, companies use PII, such as your name, email address, and payment details, to process orders and deliver products. If you don't protect your PII, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, or other privacy breaches.

You will likely only encounter the PII acronym in contexts involving data privacy, security, compliance, and information management in industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, and government. For example, cybersecurity or data protection professionals might use "PII" when discussing policies, systems, or risks related to safeguarding personal data.