Personal identifier

Personal Identifiers (PID) are a subset of personally identifiable information (PII) data elements, which identify an individual and can permit another person to "assume" that individual's identity without their knowledge or consent. PIIs include direct identifiers (name, social security number) and indirect identifiers (race, ethnicity, age).

Identifiers can be sensitive and non-sensitive, depending on whether it is a direct identifier that is uniquely associated with a person or a quasi-identifier that is not unique. A quasi-identifier cannot pin down an individual alone - it has to be combined with other identifiers.

Examples of PID

Privately issued ID credentials

Transactional financial account numbers

Biometric identifiers

Health or medical information

Electronic identification credentials

Full Date of Birth

European-defined sensitive data

Treated as PID globally, not just for citizens of the EU

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Guide to Identifying Personally Identifiable Information (PII)". www.technology.pitt.edu. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  2. ↑ "What Is Personally Identifiable Information?". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  3. ↑ University, Utah State. "Sensitive Data | Research Data Management". library.usu.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ↑ "Personally Identifiable Information (PII)". Investopedia. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  5. ↑ McCallister, Erika; Grance, Tim; Scarfone, Karen (2010-04-06). Guide to Protecting the Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) (Report). National Institute of Standards and Technology. doi:10.6028/NIST.SP.800-122.