CyberGuard dictionary / Privacy & Data Protection
Personally Identifiable Information
Also known as PII
Information that can identify a person directly or when combined with other information.
In simple terms
PII is information connected to a person, like a name plus details that single them out.
Technical explanation
Identification depends on context and available auxiliary information; laws and policies may define protected data differently.
A combination of seemingly ordinary fields can identify a person when linked with other data. Collection, sharing, and retention decisions should reflect the actual context and applicable requirements.
Examples in practice
A customer record with name, email address, and account number is treated as personal information.
An employee ID alone may look harmless, but paired with a public staff directory and medical appointment record it identifies a person. The organization restricts that combined dataset.
Why it matters
Careful collection, access, and retention reduce privacy harm.
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Sources and further reading
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.