What does PII stand for in the context of security?

In the context of security, PII stands for Personal Identifiable Information. This term refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual, either on its own or when combined with other data. PII includes elements such as names, social security numbers, addresses, email addresses, and more. The significance of PII is underscored by various laws and regulations that aim to protect individuals' privacy and secure their personal data from unauthorized access or misuse.

This understanding is crucial in security practices because organizations are responsible for safeguarding PII against breaches and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Protecting PII helps prevent identity theft and enhances trust between individuals and organizations. As such, proper handling and management of PII is a key element of data protection strategies.