What is the term for data that could identify a specific individual?

What is the term for data that could identify a specific individual?

• A. Public Information
• B. Anonymized Data
• C. Confidential Data
• D. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Answer: (D)

Personally Identifiable Information is data that could identify a specific individual. It covers direct identifiers like names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers, as well as data that could reveal someone's identity when combined with other information, such as biometrics or an IP address in certain contexts. Because it can be used to distinguish one person from another, protecting this type of data is central to privacy and security practices and is governed by various regulations. Public Information is data meant to be openly accessible and not inherently identifying. Anonymized Data has identifiers removed so it can no longer be used to identify someone. Confidential Data refers to sensitive information and the need to restrict access, but it isn’t defined by whether it can identify an individual.

Personally Identifiable Information is data that could identify a specific individual. It covers direct identifiers like names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers, as well as data that could reveal someone's identity when combined with other information, such as biometrics or an IP address in certain contexts. Because it can be used to distinguish one person from another, protecting this type of data is central to privacy and security practices and is governed by various regulations.

Public Information is data meant to be openly accessible and not inherently identifying. Anonymized Data has identifiers removed so it can no longer be used to identify someone. Confidential Data refers to sensitive information and the need to restrict access, but it isn’t defined by whether it can identify an individual.