Table of Contents
What is the difference between PII and SPD?
PII is data that you can use to identify someone, and it also includes information that could identify an individual (e.g. their social security number). SPD, on the other hand, stands for Sensitive Personal Data and is a PII subcategory.
SPD is more sensitive, meaning that you should offer even higher levels of protection. Since the harm that revealed SPD can do is significant, understanding the differences between PII and SPD is vital. Implementing the right practices is necessary for avoiding the legal and financial repercussions.
How can PII checkers be used to identify sensitive information?
PII checkers can find sensitive information within an organization’s file systems and databases by scanning them. These tools will then use algorithms to classify and identify information; they’ll do this based on the PII patterns that you’ve defined in advance.
The effectiveness of PII checkers may vary depending on the specific tool and the implementation methods used.
Coverage: Use PII checkers for scanning databases, file servers, cloud storage, emails, and other data sets. Doing so should allow for comprehensive PII identification.
Classification: Because they use comprehensive algorithms, PII checkers can understand the difference between non-sensitive information and what actually classes as personally identifiable information. As a result, you should reduce your chances of not classifying data correctly.
While PII checkers can be effective, you should consider how you can make them perform your preferred tasks better. Some of the ways to do this include:
- Data Inventory Maintenance: Your data inventories should always be up-to-date and as accurate as possible. The effectiveness of PII checkers is heavily reliant on the quality of data they use, making this method crucial for optimizing their performance.
- Employee Guidance: Give clear guidance and train employees on how to classify PII. You should have comprehensive guidelines and practices that are frequently taught and easy to access.
- Continuous Monitoring: Run PII checkers regularly for compliance and identification purposes.
What are the different categories of PII?
PII has four main categories, and each of them requires varying levels of data protection. Knowing each one is vital for making sure that you’re compliant with privacy laws and have the ideal data protection features in place. Below is an explanation of each PII category.
- Linked PII: Can directly identify someone; this includes their name, passport number, or social security number.
- Linkable PII: This doesn’t explicitly identify an individual, but it can be linked to create a general profile. Age range and job title are two examples.
- Sensitive PII: Includes sensitive information, such as biometric data and medical records.
- Non-Sensitive PII includes information that, if disclosed, may not cause significant harm or legal issues. an email address). Even if the repercussions are smaller, it remains crucial to prioritize safety.
What are the consequences of privacy violations and PII breaches?
Protecting the human right to privacy is crucial, and many governments have strict laws to protect user information. PII breaches should not be taken lightly, and knowing how to stop them from occurring will lead to a better reputation.
Examining the consequences of PII breaches and the regulatory responses can offer valuable lessons for both individuals and organizations. For example, the EU strengthened its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2023; it’s valid across all EEA member states (the EU plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein).
Financial penalties are outlined in relevant regulations including PII and GDPR for violations by companies. Specifically, these could amount to 4% of global annual turnover or €20 million, whichever sum is ultimately deemed larger.
The US has also tightened its privacy laws in recent years. California’s Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CCPA) is the most famous, but other states are following suit. Privacy laws in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and other states are set to be implemented in 2025.
What regulations exist for international transfers of personal data?
International data regulations are crucial for moving data beyond a single country, and they normally apply to economic zones. The GDPR, which applies across the EEA and implemented in 2018, is the most famous example. Non-EEA member states, such as the UK and Switzerland, have their own variations.
Conditions imposed relate to corporate rules, contractual causes, adequacy decisions, and other aspects. The GDPR sets clear and strict conditions when transferring information outside the EEA, and businesses must confirm that the country they’re transferring data to has sufficient protective laws for personal data.
Conclusion
PII refers to all data that can be used to contact or identify someone. Classified as a more sensitive component of PII, SPD mandates rigorous safeguards to protect it from misuse. Financial information, biometric data, medical records, and other similar pieces of information are all examples of SPD.
PII and SPD, along with linked and linkable PII, should be taken seriously by all organizations for compliance, reputation, and security reasons. It’s important that you regularly update your databases so that PII checkers can automate the process better; educating your employees is also essential.
