Personal information, also known as PII (Personally Identifiable Information), is classified based on its sensitivity and potential impact if compromised.
Classification Levels:
There are generally three levels of classification for personal information:
- Low Sensitivity: This category includes information that is publicly available or poses a low risk if disclosed. Examples include:
- Name: John Doe
- Address: 123 Main Street
- Phone Number: (555) 555-5555
- Medium Sensitivity: This category includes information that is more sensitive and could potentially lead to harm if disclosed. Examples include:
- Social Security Number: 123-45-6789
- Credit Card Number: 1234-5678-9012-3456
- Medical Information: Diagnosis, treatment history
- High Sensitivity: This category includes information that is highly sensitive and could have severe consequences if disclosed. Examples include:
- Financial Information: Bank account details, investments
- Biometric Data: Fingerprints, facial recognition data
- Sensitive Personal Information: Religious beliefs, political affiliations
Classification Criteria:
Organizations use various criteria to classify personal information, including:
- Potential for Harm: The severity of the consequences if the information is disclosed.
- Legal Requirements: Compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
- Business Impact: The potential financial or reputational damage if the information is compromised.
Importance of Classification:
Classifying personal information is crucial for:
- Data Protection: Implementing appropriate security measures based on the sensitivity level.
- Compliance: Adhering to data privacy regulations and minimizing legal risks.
- Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating potential threats to personal information.
Example:
A healthcare organization might classify patient medical records as high sensitivity due to the potential for significant harm if compromised. They would then implement stricter security measures for these records, such as access control and encryption.
