Chapter 2: ACRO Training (Automated Credit Reporting Online)
IN THIS LESSON
What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
Personally identifiable information (PII) is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify an individual.
PII may contain direct identifiers (e.g., passport information) that can identify a person uniquely or quasi-identifiers (e.g., race) that can be combined with other quasi-identifiers (e.g., date of birth) to recognize an individual successfully.
Understanding Personally Identifiable Information
Advancing technology platforms have changed the way businesses operate, governments legislate, and individuals relate. With digital tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-commerce, and social media, there has been an explosion in the supply of all kinds of data.
Big data, as it is called, is being collected, analyzed, and processed by businesses and shared with other companies. The wealth of information provided by big data has enabled companies to gain insight into how to better interact with customers.
However, the emergence of big data has also increased the number of data breaches and cyberattacks by entities who realize the value of this information. As a result, concerns have been raised over how companies handle the sensitive information of their consumers. Regulatory bodies are seeking new laws to protect the data of consumers, while users are looking for more anonymous ways to stay digital.
Personally identifiable information (PII) is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify an individual.
PII may contain direct identifiers (e.g., passport information) that can identify a person uniquely or quasi-identifiers (e.g., race) that can be combined with other quasi-identifiers (e.g., date of birth) to recognize an individual successfully.