Why Personal Identifiable Information Training is Essential for Army Personnel
The military has always been at the forefront of technological advancements and has made great strides in adopting new technologies that aid in meting out their duties efficiently. However, with every boon, comes a curse. In this digital age, data breaches have become increasingly common, and personal information is no longer safe. For the army, it is paramount that their soldiers, whether they are new recruits or seasoned veterans, are trained to handle, manage and protect personal identifiable information (PII).
What is Personal Identifiable Information (PII)?
PII is any information that can be used to identify an individual. Some examples of PII include Social Security numbers, medical records, financial statements, and credit card details, among others. These data points are collected by the Department of Defense (DoD) for many reasons.
Why Training of PII is Important for Army Personnel?
One of the primary reasons for training army personnel on PII is to protect the privacy of the soldiers and their families. An unauthorized release of PII can lead to a breach of confidentiality, identity theft, potential financial issues, and even physical harm. Furthermore, it can also lead to compromising future missions and operations, which could result in the loss of lives.
In addition to protecting soldiers’ privacy, training on PII can also protect sensitive information related to national security. The US military is a target for hackers and foreign cyberattacks, who seek any weak point to exploit. If an unauthorized person gains access to PII, it can potentially cause significant damage to military operations, strategic plans, and other sensitive information, compromising the country’s security.
What are the Benefits of PII Training for Army Personnel?
Training army personnel on PII has several benefits for both the soldier and the military as an institution. The first benefit is to protect soldiers from fraud and identity theft. This training can help soldiers learn how to limit the disclosure of PII to authorized personnel only and how to safeguard their PII from unauthorized access.
Secondly, the training can help to raise awareness among soldiers on how to recognize threats posed by the improper handling of PII. Soldiers will learn best practices on how to protect, secure, and dispose of PII data to ensure that it remains confidential. They will also learn to comply with the relevant DoD regulations and laws associated with PII handling.
Lastly, PII training can save the military both time and money. By training soldiers on proper handling techniques, there will be fewer breaches that require remediation, resulting in less paperwork and logistical administration. Additionally, it can set a strong example for other branches of the military and government to follow, thereby reducing costs and exposure to data breaches.
Conclusion
In summary, PII training is essential for the army personnel, and failure to train soldiers on handling PII can lead to significant problems. Both new recruits and seasoned veterans require constant training on these matters to be effective in their duties. The US military can provide maximum benefit to soldiers and the nation by instilling PII handling best practices as early as possible. This will ensure that everyone involved is aware of the importance of protecting sensitive information and understands the associated risks and consequences. In the end, it is the responsibility of every soldier to secure and protect PII and avoid data breaches that may put the nation at risk.
