If you’ve seen the acronym PII in the news or in trade magazines, you may have questions. What is it exactly, and why is it such a big deal? Today’s tech blog post answers these questions and explains why safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information is critical for individuals and organizations.
What Is PII?
PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information. This refers to any data that can be linked to an individual and used to identify them. Common examples of PII include:
- Name, address, age, and physical description
- Social Security numbers and credit card numbers
- Email addresses, usernames, and passwords
Almost everyone has PII, and it’s essential for daily life. But when Personally Identifiable Information is exposed or stolen, it becomes a serious security risk.
Is PII a Bad Thing?
No, PII isn’t inherently bad. It’s part of your identity and necessary for everyday transactions. The problem arises when Personally Identifiable Information falls into the wrong hands. That’s why protecting PII is a top priority for cybersecurity professionals.
Why Is Personally Identifiable Information Risky?
If a cybercriminal accumulates enough PII, they can compromise accounts or even steal identities. While a single piece of Personally Identifiable Information—like your name—may not be harmful, combining multiple pieces creates a full identity profile that attackers can exploit.
Not All PII Is Equal
Some Personally Identifiable Information is more sensitive than others:
- A name or photo alone isn’t very useful to a thief.
- A credit card number without other details is almost worthless.
- A Social Security number, however, is extremely valuable—even by itself.
The real danger comes from accumulation. When attackers combine multiple pieces of PII, they can cause serious financial and reputational damage.
How Thieves Collect Personally Identifiable Information
- Buying stolen data from major breaches on the dark web
- Using phishing or social engineering tactics
- Exploiting overshared details on social media
If your security question is “Where did you go to high school?” and that answer is on your Facebook profile, you’re making it easy for attackers.
How to Protect Your PII
Protecting Personally Identifiable Information starts with common sense:
- Limit what you share online
- Never give out Social Security or account numbers unnecessarily
- Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
Organizations should also implement robust security measures, including encryption and access controls.
Does Your Organization Need Help Managing PII?
If you handle sensitive data, the answer is yes. Protecting PII isn’t optional—it’s essential for compliance and trust.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you secure Personally Identifiable Information and reduce the risk of identity theft.
Charles Lobert, has been in the Detroit Metro Area’s IT industry for over two decades & with VCS since ’04. Throughout the years, Lobert has held nearly every position at VCS & is responsible for several major organizational shifts within VCS.