As the prevalence of digital data continues to grow, understanding and managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has become essential for both individuals and organizations. Understanding the various aspects to safeguarding PII are important to understand, including its definition, the risks associated with exposure, the legal frameworks governing personal data privacy, and the tools and techniques for responsible management.
The following are frequently asked questions regarding these various aspects of PII.
What are 5 examples of PII?
Five common examples include:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Date and place of birth
- Email address
- Passport number
What is PII and why is it important?
PII (Personally Identifiable Information) refers to information that can be used on its own or with other data to identify, contact, or locate a single person. Safeguarding PII is crucial for organizations to prohibit unauthorized access may lead to identity theft, financial loss, reputational damage, legal penalties, and breach of privacy laws.
Understanding the definition of personally identifiable information (PII) is pivotal in managing and protecting sensitive data. Risks associated with PII exposure can have severe consequences for impacted individuals and harsh penalties for the companies involved, making it essential for organizations to implement tools and techniques for responsible data management. Developing compliance programs which adhere to various data privacy laws (such as the CCPA or GDPR) is essential for guaranteeing adherence in different legal systems.
What is legally considered PII?
The definition of what is legally considered PII varies from state-to-state and across jurisdictions. Some examples of the type of information that a jurisdiction may consider PII are: names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, email addresses, phone numbers, passport details, and biometric identifiers like fingerprints.
How can organizations protect PII?
To safeguard against potential breaches involving personal data, organizations should consider:
- Data minimization: Collect only necessary information required for your business purposes.
- Adequate security measures: Implement strong encryption methods when storing sensitive files.
- Employee training: Ensure staff members are educated about the importance of protecting PII and how to handle it responsibly.
What are some methods used by attackers in exploiting stolen PII?
- Social engineering attacks: Criminals manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Examples include phishing emails and pretexting phone calls.
- Malware infections: Malicious software, such as ransomware or keyloggers, can be used to steal PII from infected devices. Regularly updating antivirus software and avoiding suspicious downloads can help protect against these threats.
- Data selling on the dark web: Stolen PII is often sold in underground marketplaces for other criminals to use in their illicit activities. Monitoring personal information for unauthorized usage is crucial for mitigating potential damage.
If you need assistance navigating legal frameworks surrounding safeguarding PII and personal data privacy laws, contact Baer Reed today!
Mr. Reyes graduated with honors from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received the Procter and Gamble Student Excellence Award. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law. During law school, Mr. Reyes was part of the Philippine delegation to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot held in Vienna, Austria. He was also a member of the Ateneo Society of International Law and the St. Thomas More Debate Society. He completed his internship at the Public Attorney’s Office. He wrote a thesis entitled: “To Kill A White Elephant: An Analysis of the Fiduciary Exception to the Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege”. Mr. Reyes is admitted to practice law in the Philippines and the State of New York.
Matthew Hersh earned a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1999. He also holds a master’s degree in international relations from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Cap. Avi Levak (Res. IDF) graduated from from Israel’s prestigious Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics. He is also a Leadership and Communication coach trained in TuT coaching by Alon gal in Israel. Avi specializes in high-level, in-depth analysis of business and client needs, within systems and software strategy and architecture.
Ms. Lardizabal-Manzano is a graduate of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science. In 2003, she received her law degree from Lyceum of the Philippines and was admitted to practice law in 2004.
Mr. De Guzman graduated from San Beda College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics and received his law degree from San Beda College of Law. He is multilingual and is fluent in three languages: Chinese, Filipino, and English. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2003.
Ms. Aquino-Batallones obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Studies (with Minors in Global Politics and Hispanic Studies) from the Ateneo de Manila University. In 2011, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. During law school, she interned at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles then became an intern of Ateneo Legal Services Center’s Clinical Legal Education Program.
Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo graduated cum laude and top nine in her batch from Miriam College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in InternationalStudies. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in Rockwell. During law school, she interned in Rivera, Santos, Maranan & Associates. She was also part of Ateneo’s Labor Law Bar Operations. She wrote her thesis on, “Stealing Privacy: Limitations on Media’s Photographic Invasion.,” Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo is admitted to practice law in the Philippines.
Ms. Tyler graduated cum laude from Georgetown University and received her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. During law school, she interned at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She also worked on The Tax Lawyer journal and was a member of the award-winning Barristers’ Council Mock Trial Team. Ms. Tyler is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the District of Columbia.