Why Identifying Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is Crucial for Data Protection
Data protection has become a major concern for organizations around the world, especially with the sharp rise in data breaches in recent years. One of the key steps in safeguarding sensitive data is identifying Personally Identifiable Information (PII). PII is any information that can be used to identify an individual, such as their name, date of birth, address, phone number, social security number, and more. In this article, we will discuss why identifying PII is crucial for data protection, and how it can help organizations prevent data breaches.
What is PII?
As mentioned, PII is any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person. This information can include their name, address, social security number, date of birth, email address, and more. PII can also include sensitive personal information, such as medical records, financial information, and criminal records. It is important for organizations to identify all types of PII within their data, as this information is highly sought after by cyber criminals.
Why is Identifying PII Crucial for Data Protection?
Identifying PII is crucial for data protection as it helps organizations to understand the types of data they hold and how it can be accessed. By identifying all instances of PII within their data, organizations can put in place appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of this sensitive information. Additionally, identifying PII can help organizations to comply with privacy regulations and data protection laws.
How Can Organizations Identify PII?
Organizations can identify PII using a variety of methods, including data scanning tools, manual reviews, and data discovery processes. Data scanning tools can automatically detect instances of PII within an organization’s data, while manual reviews involve a more thorough review of data to identify sensitive information. Data discovery processes involve categorizing data according to its sensitivity, and identifying PII as part of this process.
Examples of PII Breaches
There have been numerous high-profile cases of PII breaches in recent years, highlighting the need for organizations to take data protection seriously. One notable example is the Equifax data breach in 2017, which exposed the sensitive personal information of over 143 million individuals. Another example is the Marriott data breach in 2018, which exposed the sensitive personal information of over 500 million guests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, identifying PII is crucial for data protection as it helps organizations to understand the types of data they hold and how it can be accessed. By identifying all instances of PII within their data, organizations can put in place appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of this sensitive information. Additionally, identifying PII can help organizations to comply with privacy regulations and data protection laws. To avoid PII breaches, organizations must take proactive steps to identify and protect this sensitive information.
