Ask yourself the following question: what makes you you? The color of your eyes and skin? Your height? Your build? Parts of your personality? How did all this come to be? Your DNA, of course! DNA carries the genetic code that makes human beings who they are. Just like your DNA makes you you in the physical world, personally identifiable information, or PII, makes you you in the digital world.
PII is more than just data. It’s a representation of people. Therefore, when you ensure PII remains secure and private, you help protect real people like our students and staff. Let’s review what PII is and how you can keep it safe.
What is PII?
PII is generally defined as any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information about that individual.
For educational institutions, FERPA defines PII as information maintained in education records and includes direct identifiers, such as a student’s name or identification number, indirect identifiers, such as a student’s date of birth, or other information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity either directly or indirectly through linkages with other information.
Read More About FERPA →
Here are a few more examples of PII:
- Full name
- Biometrics (face, fingerprints, etc.)
- Home address
- Email address
- Social Security numbers
- Medical Records
- Passport number
- Date of birth
What Makes PII Valuable?
PII is a treasure trove for criminals, providing them with the means to perpetrate various types of identity theft and fraud. Here are some of the malicious activities criminals can carry out with PII:
Identity Theft: With PII such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses, criminals can assume someone else's identity, opening bank accounts, applying for loans, or making purchases—all under the victim's name. Financial Fraud: Armed with PII, criminals can access bank accounts, credit cards, or investment accounts. They may also apply for credit cards or loans in the victim's name, leaving the victim responsible for unauthorized charges or debts. Medical Fraud: PII, including health insurance information, enables criminals to receive medical treatment, prescription drugs, or submit false insurance claims under the victim's identity. Tax Fraud: Using stolen PII, criminals can file fraudulent tax returns to claim refunds, redirecting tax refunds to their own accounts.
How Can We Protect PII?
It's important to understand the types of PII you use every day, both personally and professionally in order to take the necessary precautions to protect it. Some simple but effective security practices to help to ensure PII stays protected include:
Practicing Caution with Personal Information Sharing
Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or birthdates, unless absolutely necessary. Be wary of requests for personal information through unsolicited emails, phone calls, or social media messages.
Practicing Safe Browsing Habits
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious sources, as they may contain malware or phishing attempts aimed at stealing personal information.
Using Strong, Unique Passwords
Create strong passwords for online accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Consider using a reputable password manager to securely store and manage passwords.