PII vs. Sensitive Data vs. Sensitive PII: Key Differences

Data privacy involves a complex network of laws and regulations. It can be easy to confuse PII with sensitive personal data and sensitive PII. This post explores the key difference between the three.

» Where does personal data fit in? Discover the difference between personal data vs PII

What Is PII?

Personally identifiable information (PII) refers to any sensitive information that can help identify an individual. PII is classified as either “sensitive” (i.e., capable of being used to positively identify an individual) or “non-sensitive” (i.e., information that is available from public sources and cannot alone positively identify an individual).

What Is Sensitive PII?

Sensitive PII is information that can directly disclose an individual’s identity. A few examples are:

• • Full name

• • Fingerprint

• • Iris scan

• • Social Security Number (SSN)

• • Driver’s license

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The consequences of mishandling sensitive PII can be severe to both your organization and your customers. It can cause public embarrassment, trust issues (with consumers or employees), and reputation damage. Damaged client relationships can cost your organization business, and privacy law violations can cause financial harm.

» How do you protect PII? Learn the best security practices to protect PII

What Is Sensitive Data?

Data is considered sensitive when it is subject to certain legal or contractual requirements, such as those governing privacy, trade secrets, and intellectual property. Generally speaking, if any sensitive data is improperly disclosed without authorization, it can spell disaster for those involved.

Therefore, PII shared on a need-to-know basis qualifies as sensitive data.

How Is Sensitive Data Different From PII and Sensitive PII?

• • Scope and Applicable Laws Sensitive data does not only refer to information that can reveal a person’s identity like PII. It could also pertain to classified government information and private company data. However, these definitions may vary depending on the data privacy regulation.

• • Security level Because of its scope, sensitive data requires a higher level of security where only authorized persons can access it.

• • Consequences A higher security level means the consequences of a data breach are greater. If an unauthorized person accesses sensitive data like racial or ethnic origin, political views, or sexual orientation it can cause discrimination or animosity toward an individual.

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Conclusion

Understanding the data privacy laws that apply to your organization and how to interpret various data types will aid in compliance and help you protect sensitive data, thus avoiding PII violations.

» Worried about compliance? Explore how PieEye can help you navigate data privacy