Glossary > Privacy > Educational Privacy > FERPA Regulations

Personally Identifiable Information

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data that could potentially identify a specific individual. This includes information such as names, addresses, social security numbers, email addresses, and any other data that could distinguish one person from another.

Example #1

Examples of PII include a student's full name combined with their date of birth, a teacher's home address, or a parent's phone number.

Example #2

Within an educational setting, PII could include a student's ID number, disciplinary records, grades, or health information.

Misuse

Misuse of Personally Identifiable Information can lead to identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized access to sensitive data. For example, if a school's student records containing PII are accessed by a malicious third party, it could result in the exposure of personal information and potential harm to students, parents, and employees. It is crucial to safeguard PII to prevent such breaches and protect individuals' privacy and security.

Benefits

Protecting Personally Identifiable Information ensures the privacy and security of individuals. By safeguarding PII, organizations can build trust with their stakeholders and demonstrate a commitment to data protection. For example, when educational institutions securely handle student data according to regulations like FERPA, students and their families can feel confident that their personal information is being handled responsibly and ethically.

Conclusion

Understanding and protecting Personally Identifiable Information is essential for maintaining privacy, preventing identity theft, and promoting trust in data handling practices. By ensuring that PII is handled securely and in compliance with regulations like FERPA, consumers, students, and employees can have confidence that their sensitive information is being protected.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024