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[Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown) 2. [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-security?ts=markdown) 3. [Data Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations?ts=markdown) 4. [What Is PII?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii?ts=markdown) Table of content * [What Is Cybersecurity Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations?ts=markdown) * [Three Pillars of Cybersecurity Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#pillars?ts=markdown) * [Understanding Cybersecurity Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#understanding?ts=markdown) * [Key Security Compliance Frameworks and Regulations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#key?ts=markdown) * [Building an Effective Cybersecurity Compliance Program](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#building?ts=markdown) * [The Future of Cybersecurity Compliance: AI and Emerging Trends](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#future?ts=markdown) * [Cybersecurity Compliance FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cybersecurity-compliance-and-regulations#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Healthcare Cybersecurity?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity?ts=markdown) * [Why Is Cybersecurity Important to Healthcare](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#important?ts=markdown) * [Elements of Healthcare Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#elements?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Security Rule](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#security?ts=markdown) * [Healthcare Data Breaches](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#breaches?ts=markdown) * [Healthcare Business Continuity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#business?ts=markdown) * [Protected Healthcare Information](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#healthcare?ts=markdown) * [Key Challenges in Healthcare Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#challenges?ts=markdown) * [Healthcare Cybersecurity Strategies and Solutions](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#strategies?ts=markdown) * [The Future of Healthcare Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#future?ts=markdown) * [Healthcare Cybersecurity FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-healthcare-cybersecurity#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is GDPR Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance?ts=markdown) * [What Is GDPR?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance#what?ts=markdown) * [GDPR \& Data Sovereignty](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance#sovereignty?ts=markdown) * [Key Principles of the GDPR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance#key?ts=markdown) * [GDPR Requirements](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance#gdpr?ts=markdown) * [GDPR FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/gdpr-compliance#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Personal Data?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#personal?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Across Various Legislations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#data?ts=markdown) * [Understanding Identifiability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#understanding?ts=markdown) * [Important Factors When Determining Personal Data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#important?ts=markdown) * [How Is Understanding Personal Data Beneficial?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#how?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Security Tools](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#tools?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is HIPAA?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa?ts=markdown) * [Is Your Organization HIPAA Compliant?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#compliant?ts=markdown) * [Understanding HIPAA](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#understanding?ts=markdown) * [What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#protected?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA: Breach Notification](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#breach?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Privacy Rule: The Standard of Minimum Necessary](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#privacy?ts=markdown) * [The Security Rule: Safeguarding Electronic Protected Health Information](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#security?ts=markdown) * [OCR Audit Protocol](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#ocr?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA for Big Tech and Startups](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#big-tech?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Compliance Tips for DevOps and AppSec Practitioners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#devops?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hipaa#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Sensitive Data?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data?ts=markdown) * [Sensitive Data Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data#sensitive?ts=markdown) * [Understanding the Types of Sensitive Data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data#understanding?ts=markdown) * [Navigating the Landscape of Data Privacy Regulations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data#navigating?ts=markdown) * [Sensitive Data Protection: Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data#best-practices?ts=markdown) * [Sensitive Data FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is SOC 2 Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2?ts=markdown) * [SOC 2 Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#soc?ts=markdown) * [Why SOC 2 Compliance Is Important](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#why?ts=markdown) * [SOC 2 Requirements](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#requirements?ts=markdown) * [Who Can Perform a SOC Audit?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#who?ts=markdown) * [SOC 2 Audit Checklist](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#checklist?ts=markdown) * [SOC 1 Vs. SOC 2](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#vs?ts=markdown) * [SOC 2 FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/soc-2#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Healthcare Business Continuity?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare?ts=markdown) * [Why Is Business Continuity Important to Healthcare?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#important?ts=markdown) * [Potential Disruptions to Healthcare Organizations' Continuity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#potential?ts=markdown) * [The Growing Threat of Ransomware in Healthcare](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#ransomware?ts=markdown) * [Why Healthcare Is a Prime Target for Cyberattacks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#target?ts=markdown) * [How Healthcare Business Continuity Directly Impacts Lives](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#healthcare?ts=markdown) * [Costs of Downtime in the Healthcare Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#costs?ts=markdown) * [How to Ensure Business Continuity in Healthcare](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#business?ts=markdown) * [Benefits of Business Continuity Planning](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#planning?ts=markdown) * [Healthcare Business Continuity FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/business-continuity-for-healthcare#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Are HIPAA Security Rules?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules?ts=markdown) * [Why Is the HIPAA Security Rule Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#why?ts=markdown) * [Overview of the HIPAA Security Rule](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#overview?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Security Rule Requirements](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#requirements?ts=markdown) * [The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#breach-notification-rule?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Compliance and Enforcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#compliance-and-enforcement?ts=markdown) * [Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#best-practices?ts=markdown) * [Potential Trends in HIPAA Security Rule](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#trends?ts=markdown) * [HIPAA Security Rule FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/hipaa-security-rules#faq?ts=markdown) * [What Is Protected Health Information (PHI)?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi?ts=markdown) * [Why Is Protected Health Information (PHI) Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#important?ts=markdown) * [Examples of Protected Health Information](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#protected?ts=markdown) * [What Is ePHI?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#ephi?ts=markdown) * [Securing Protected Health Information](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#securing?ts=markdown) * [What Is a PHI Breach?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#breach?ts=markdown) * [Evolving Landscape: Emerging Technologies and PHI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#landscape?ts=markdown) * [Protected Health Information (PHI) FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/protected-health-information-phi#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa?ts=markdown) * [California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa#ccpa?ts=markdown) * [How Does the CCPA Define Personal Information?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa#how?ts=markdown) * [CCPA Vs. GDPR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa#compare?ts=markdown) * [Container Firewall FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa#faq?ts=markdown) * [An Overview of FedRAMP and Why You Should Care About It](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/fedramp-overview?ts=markdown) * [Advantages of FedRAMP for Federal Agencies](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/fedramp-overview#advantages?ts=markdown) * [Other Parties That May Be Interested in FedRAMP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/fedramp-overview#other?ts=markdown) * [More Information](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/fedramp-overview#more?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Governance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance?ts=markdown) * [Data Governance Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#data?ts=markdown) * [Why Data Governance Matters](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#why?ts=markdown) * [The Benefits of Data Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#benefits?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise Data Governance Challenges](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#enterprise?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Data Governance Challenges](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#cloud?ts=markdown) * [Data Governance Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#data-governance?ts=markdown) * [Building a Strong Data Governance Framework](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#building?ts=markdown) * [Data Governance Best Practices: Tips and Strategies](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#best-practices?ts=markdown) * [Securing Data Access: The Importance of Data Access Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#securing?ts=markdown) * [Unlock the Full Potential of Your Data with Comprehensive Data Governance Capabilities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#unlock?ts=markdown) * [Data Governance FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-governance#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What is the Difference between FISMA and FedRAMP?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/difference-between-fisma-and-fedramp?ts=markdown) * [Simplified Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management with Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/simplified-healthcare-compliance-and-risk-management-with-prisma-cloud?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Privacy?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy?ts=markdown) * [Data Privacy Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy#data?ts=markdown) * [Why Is Data Privacy Crucial for Businesses and Consumers?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy#why?ts=markdown) * [What Are the Use Cases for Data Privacy?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy#what?ts=markdown) * [‍Data Privacy FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy#faqs?ts=markdown) * [How to Maintain AWS Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-to-maintain-aws-compliance?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance?ts=markdown) * [Data Compliance Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#data?ts=markdown) * [Why Is Data Compliance Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#why?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Challenges Data Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#cloud?ts=markdown) * [Data Compliance Varies Across Industries](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#varies?ts=markdown) * [Meeting Data Compliance Standards](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#meeting?ts=markdown) * [Data Compliance FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is NIST?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist?ts=markdown) * [NIST Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist#nist?ts=markdown) * [The NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist#the?ts=markdown) * [What Do Nist Guidelines Cover?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist#what?ts=markdown) * [CSF Vs. SSDF](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist#vs?ts=markdown) * [‍NIST FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/nist#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Privacy Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance?ts=markdown) * [Database Security in Public Clouds](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance#database?ts=markdown) * [Elements of Database Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance#elements?ts=markdown) * [Database Security: 8 Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance#security?ts=markdown) * [Database Security FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance#faqs?ts=markdown) * [How The Next-Generation Security Platform Contributes to GDPR Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-the-next-generation-security-platform-contributes-to-gdpr-compliance?ts=markdown) * [Data Breach Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-the-next-generation-security-platform-contributes-to-gdpr-compliance#data?ts=markdown) * [Managing Security Processes Centrally](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-the-next-generation-security-platform-contributes-to-gdpr-compliance#managing?ts=markdown) * [Preventing Data Exfiltration or Leakage](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-the-next-generation-security-platform-contributes-to-gdpr-compliance#preventing?ts=markdown) * [Data Breach Notification](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-the-next-generation-security-platform-contributes-to-gdpr-compliance#breach?ts=markdown) * [What Is PCI DSS?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss?ts=markdown) * [PCI DSS Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#pci?ts=markdown) * [Why PCI DSS Compliance Is Important](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#why?ts=markdown) * [PCI DSS Requirements](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#dss?ts=markdown) * [Technical Best Practices for PCI DSS Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#technical?ts=markdown) * [Preparing for a PCI DSS Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#preparing?ts=markdown) * [PCI DSS FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pci-dss#faqs?ts=markdown) * What Is PII? * [Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#personally?ts=markdown) * [Why Is PII Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#why?ts=markdown) * [PII Worldwide](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#pii?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#vs?ts=markdown) * [PHI Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#phi?ts=markdown) * [PII Security Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#best?ts=markdown) * [PII FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#faqs?ts=markdown) # What Is PII? 5 min. read Table of content * * [Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#personally?ts=markdown) * [Why Is PII Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#why?ts=markdown) * [PII Worldwide](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#pii?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#vs?ts=markdown) * [PHI Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#phi?ts=markdown) * [PII Security Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#best?ts=markdown) * [PII FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#faqs?ts=markdown) 1. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Explained * * [Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#personally?ts=markdown) * [Why Is PII Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#why?ts=markdown) * [PII Worldwide](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#pii?ts=markdown) * [Personal Data Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#vs?ts=markdown) * [PHI Vs. PII](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#phi?ts=markdown) * [PII Security Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#best?ts=markdown) * [PII FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/pii#faqs?ts=markdown) Personally identifiable information (PII), refers to any data that can be used to identify a specific individual, either directly or indirectly. This includes information such as name, address, social security number, email address, phone number, and date of birth. PII can also include less obvious data points like IP addresses and device identifiers when they can be linked to an individual. Organizations must take precautions to secure and protect PII to maintain [user privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy?ts=markdown) and comply with [data protection regulations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-compliance?ts=markdown). ## Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Explained Advancements in information technology have resulted in a lucrative market for gathering and reselling PII. Because of its potential use in identity theft and financial crime, bad actors target PII. In response to mounting risks, numerous website privacy policies explicitly address PII collection. PII is also protected under legal and regulatory requirements that mandate the uses, treatment of, and security measures to protect consumers. Legislations include the General Data Protection Regulation ([GDPR](https://www.dig.security/glossary/gdpr)) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ([HIPAA](https://www.dig.security/glossary/hipaa)). In cloud environments, measures such as [encryption](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption?ts=markdown) and [access controls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/access-control?ts=markdown) are often implemented to protect PII. A [data breach](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-breach?ts=markdown) involving PII can result in financial loss, damage to reputation, and even legal liability in some cases. So what exactly is PII? In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology [Special Publication 800-122](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/legacy/sp/nistspecialpublication800-122.pdf) defines PII, or personally identifiable information, as "any information about an individual maintained by an agency, including any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records; and (2) any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information." ## Why Is PII Important? Securing PII is of highest priority due to its potential impact on individuals' privacy, safety, and financial well-being. Unauthorized access to PII can lead to identity theft, fraud, and reputational damage, putting individuals at significant risk. Additionally, breaches involving PII can result in substantial financial losses for businesses, legal penalties, and damage to their reputation. Organizations are obligated to protect PII under various data protection regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA, which mandate stringent security measures to safeguard sensitive personal information. By securing PII, organizations not only uphold their ethical responsibility toward [user privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy-compliance?ts=markdown) but also maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, mitigate financial and legal risks, and preserve trust with customers and stakeholders. ## PII Worldwide PII laws and regulations aim to protect individuals' privacy by ensuring that their personal information is securely collected, processed, stored, and shared. These laws vary across countries and regions, but the core principles remain similar. ### European Union: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) GDPR, implemented in 2018, is the most comprehensive privacy legislation globally, applicable to all EU member countries. It regulates PII processing, provides data subjects with rights such as access, rectification, and erasure, and enforces strict penalties for non-compliance. Organizations that process data of EU residents must comply with GDPR, regardless of their location. ### United States: No single federal PII law The US lacks a comprehensive federal privacy law. Instead, it has a sectoral approach, with laws like HIPAA for healthcare, COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) for children's data, and GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) for financial institutions. Additionally, some states have enacted their own privacy laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act ([CCPA](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/ccpa?ts=markdown)). ### Canada: Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) PIPEDA is a federal privacy law that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. It requires organizations to obtain consent for data collection and processing, implement security measures, and provide individuals access to their data. ### Australia: Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) The Privacy Act 1988 governs the protection of personal information in Australia. The APPs, which are part of the act, set out 13 principles that regulate the handling of personal information by organizations, including collection, use, disclosure, security, and individual access. ### Brazil: General Data Protection Law (LGPD) LGPD, enacted in 2020, is Brazil's comprehensive privacy legislation. It establishes principles, rights, and obligations for the processing of personal data. Similar to GDPR, LGPD applies to any organization processing the data of individuals located in Brazil, regardless of the organization's location. ### China: Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) China's PIPL, effective from November 2021, is a comprehensive data protection law that governs the collection, use, processing, and storage of personal information. It emphasizes consent, data minimization, and cross-border data transfer restrictions, among other provisions. ### India: Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB) PDPB, currently a draft bill, aims to regulate the processing of personal data in India. It proposes principles such as purpose and storage limitation, data localization, and individual rights like access and correction. These are just a few examples of PII laws and regulations worldwide. As [data privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-privacy?ts=markdown) concerns continue to grow, we see more countries adopting privacy laws to protect the rights of individuals'. ## Personal Data Vs. PII Both personal data and PII share the common goal of ensuring the protection and privacy of individuals' information. That said, while the concepts of [personal data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/personal-data?ts=markdown) and PII overlap, they differ legislatively. Personal data is a broader category, one that encompasses all information relating to an identified or identifiable individual. The European Union and other jurisdictions outside the United States often use the term personal data. The GDPR is a prime example of legislation that provides a comprehensive framework for protecting personal data, aligning data protection rules across EU member states. Again, personal data legislation covers a wide range of data types --- identifiers, contact information, demographic data, preferences, and online behavior. Personal data can be either directly identifying or indirectly identifiable when combined with other data points. ### Nuances of PII PII is a subset of personal data that focuses on information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a specific individual. In the United States, privacy laws and data protection regulations commonly use the term PII. Different states and sectors have varying definitions of PII, and the scope of protection may differ depending on the context and specific regulations. Examples of U.S. legislation addressing PII include HIPAA and the CCPA. To clearly distinguish these two terms, think of personal data as information "related to" identifiable individuals. When we say personal data covers a range of information "related to" identifiable individuals, we emphasize that personal data encompasses any information associated with an identified or identifiable person. This concept signifies a broad scope of data types that could be connected to an individual in some way, including seemingly anonymous data points (i.e., a product preference) that, when combined with other data points, become indirectly identifiable information. PII, on the other hand, "focuses on" data with a more explicit connection to an individual's identity. It has a narrower scope, concentrating on data that can pinpoint or trace back to a particular person, either directly or indirectly. ### Regulations \& Data Classification Legislations taking a non-prescriptive, principles-based approach to data protection --- as the GDPR does --- give rise to the term personal data. Information that wouldn't necessarily qualify as PII under HIPAA, for example, may qualify as personal data within the scope of the GDPR. ## PHI Vs. PII PHI is a specific type of PII that relates to an individual's physical or mental health, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare services. PHI includes medical records, test results, insurance information, and billing data. In the United States, PHI is protected under HIPAA, which governs the collection, use, and disclosure of PHI by covered entities (healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses) and their business associates. Infractions of HIPAA regulations are severe, as required to protect information of a sensitive nature and prevent the fallout of harm from unauthorized access or disclosure of PHI. ## PII Security Best Practices Observing PII security best practices help organizations to protect sensitive data, maintain trust with their customers, and comply with privacy regulations worldwide. ### Data Minimization Collect and store only the necessary PII for a specific purpose. Limiting the amount of data held reduces the risk of unauthorized access or misuse. ### Access Control Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) to limit employees' access to PII based on their job responsibilities. Use strong authentication methods, such as multifactor authentication (MFA), to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. ### Encryption Use encryption, both at rest and in transit, to protect PII from unauthorized access. Employ strong encryption algorithms and manage encryption keys securely. ### Data Classification Categorize PII based on sensitivity levels and apply appropriate security controls accordingly. [Data classification](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-classification?ts=markdown) helps prioritize the protection of critical data and maintain regulatory compliance. ### Data Retention and Disposal Establish a data retention policy that defines how long PII is stored and when it should be deleted or anonymized. Securely dispose of PII when it's no longer needed, using methods like secure deletion or physical destruction. ### Regular Audits and Assessments Conduct periodic audits and risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with privacy regulations. Implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. [Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-dspm?ts=markdown) solutions enhance these efforts by not only identifying PII but also assessing its business importance and specific security requirements, helping security teams prioritize responses to potential threats more effectively. ### Employee Training Provide regular training to employees on data protection, privacy regulations, and cybersecurity. Educate them on the importance of PII security and their role in safeguarding sensitive information. ### Incident Response Plan Develop a robust incident response plan that outlines the steps to take in case of a data breach or security incident. This plan should include communication protocols, identification and containment procedures, and recovery strategies. ### Vendor Management Assess and monitor third-party vendors that handle PII to ensure they follow security best practices and comply with relevant regulations. Establish contractual agreements that outline data protection responsibilities. ### Privacy by Design Integrate privacy considerations into the development lifecycle of products, services, and applications. This approach helps proactively address potential privacy risks and ensures that PII protection is a core component of the design process. ## PII FAQs ### What is considered PII? PII encompasses any data that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a specific individual. It includes a wide range of information, such as names, addresses, social security numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and even IP addresses or device identifiers when they can be linked to an individual. Organizations must protect and secure PII to maintain user privacy and comply with data protection regulations. ### What is an example of PII? An example of PII is a social security number, which is a unique identifier assigned to individuals in the United States for various purposes, including taxation and employment. Social security numbers can be used to directly identify an individual and are considered sensitive PII due to the potential risks associated with unauthorized disclosure, such as identity theft or fraud. ### What are some examples of personal information that do not qualify as PII? Personal information that does not qualify as PII generally includes data that, in isolation, cannot be used to directly or indirectly identify an individual. Examples of such non-PII information can include anonymized or aggregated data, generic statistics, and certain types of demographic data that lack sufficient detail to be linked to a specific person. For instance, anonymized search queries, website usage data that cannot be traced back to a user, or broad demographic information like age ranges or general geographic locations (e.g., city or state) may be considered non-PII personal information when they cannot be combined with other data to identify an individual. ### What are the 3 types of personal information? Three types of personal information include: * **Identifying information:** This category consists of data that can directly identify an individual, such as names, social security numbers, passport numbers, and driver's license numbers. * **Quasi-identifying information:** This type of data indirectly identifies individuals when combined with other information. Examples include IP addresses, device identifiers, and geolocation data. * **Sensitive information:** This category covers data that, if disclosed, could lead to significant harm or discrimination against an individual. Sensitive information may include financial data, health records, biometric data, and information related to racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. ### What is the difference between identifying and identifiable? Identifying refers to the process or act of recognizing and distinguishing a specific individual or entity based on unique characteristics or attributes. In the context of data, identifying information directly points to an individual, such as a name, social security number, or passport number. Identifiable refers to the potential for data to be associated with a specific individual, either directly or indirectly. Identifiable data may not immediately reveal an individual's identity, but when combined with other information, it can be used to pinpoint the person. Examples of identifiable data include IP addresses, device identifiers, and geolocation data. The distinction between identifying and identifiable is crucial in data protection and privacy, as it influences how organizations handle, process, and secure personal information. ### What information is not considered PII? Information that cannot be directly or indirectly linked to an individual is not considered PII. This includes anonymized, aggregated, or de-identified data that has been stripped of any identifiable elements. Examples of non-PII data include general demographic information, such as age range, gender, and geographic location, as well as statistical data and anonymous survey results. Non-PII data can be shared and used more freely, as it does not pose a risk to individual privacy. ### What is considered PII but not PHI? PII (Personally Identifiable Information) encompasses a wide range of data that can be used to identify individuals, while PHI (Protected Health Information) specifically refers to health-related information. PII that is not considered PHI includes data points like names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, which are not directly related to an individual's health status or healthcare. Conversely, PHI consists of medical records, diagnoses, treatment plans, insurance information, and other health-related data that must be protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. ### What are privacy policies? Privacy policies are legally binding documents that outline how an organization collects, processes, stores, shares, and protects personal data. These policies inform users about the types of data collected, the purpose of data collection, data retention periods, and the rights of data subjects. Privacy policies also detail the organization's compliance with data protection laws and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. By providing transparency and establishing user trust, privacy policies play a critical role in ensuring responsible data management practices and legal compliance. ### What are access control models? Access control models are frameworks that define how permissions are granted and managed within a system, determining who can access specific resources. They guide the development and implementation of access control policies. Common models include: * Discretionary access control (DAC), where resource owners decide who can access their resources * Mandatory access control (MAC), where a central authority regulates access rights based on clearances and classifications * Role-based access control (RBAC), where permissions are granted according to roles within an organization * Attribute-based access control (ABAC), where access is granted based on a combination of user attributes, resource attributes, and environmental factors Recommended for you [The State of Cloud Data Security in 2023 Gain insights on the best ways to secure sensitive data in your cloud environments based on real-world research analyzing 13B+ files stored in public cloud environments.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/research/data-security-2023-report?ts=markdown) [Securing the Data Landscape with DSPM and DDR Stay ahead of the data security risks. Learn how data security posture management (DSPM) with data detection and response (DDR) fills the security gaps to strengthen your security ...](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/guides/dspm-ddr-big-guide?ts=markdown) [5 Orgs Achieve 360° Visibility and Compliance Learn how organizations achieve centralized visibility across cloud environments to remediate vulnerabilities and eliminate threats.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/customer-spotlight-visibility-and-compliance?ts=markdown) [DSPM: Do You Know You Need It? 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