What is the definition of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

The definition of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is data that can be used to identify an individual. This type of information includes details such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and any other data that can be linked to a specific person. The critical aspect of PII is its potential to directly or indirectly identify an individual, making it an important category in discussions of privacy and data protection. Understanding PII is essential in various contexts, including compliance with data protection regulations and safeguarding personal information from unauthorized access and misuse.

The other options reflect different types of information but do not capture the essence of PII. For example, publicly shared information does not have privacy implications, while records that are strictly about employee benefits or organizational performance summaries are not inherently linked to individual identification.