Realtimecampaign.com Explains the Five Steps to Ensure PII Compliance
PII is short for personally identifiable information. It refers to data that can identify a specific person and comes in many forms. Examples of PII can include simple things like phone numbers, email addresses, or Social Security numbers, but the term is used more often to refer to digital identifiers.
Unlike protected health information (PHI), which is covered under HIPAA, standards regarding PII protection vary by country. Sometimes, they even vary by state or province. Given how obviously important it is to governments across the world to protect PII, it’s clear that companies must also make compliance with local standards a top priority. Read on to find out how to get started.
Step One: Classify PII
PII can be divided into two categories: sensitive and non-sensitive PII. Sensitive PII includes any kind of personal identifiers whose disclosure is routinely restricted by legal or contractual requirements. It includes not just Social Security numbers but also financial information like credit card numbers. Non-sensitive PII is information that is available to the public. Business owners can click for more information about how to differentiate between the two.
Step Two: Craft a Policy
An effective PII policy will govern all aspects of working with personal data. It should set forth how the PII can be used and who has access to it and, according to realtimecampaign.com, it should also ensure that as little PII gets used as possible. The impact of privacy regulations on businesses can create some challenges. However, it’s worth ensuring compliance with the NIST recommendations standards not just to avoid legal difficulties but also to bolster the company’s reputation.
Step Three: Implement Data Security Tools
Data security tools are designed to reduce a company’s risk of data leaks and unauthorized access to PII. They can include endpoint security, cloud data loss protection, encryption, tokenization, and other methods of protecting data both at rest and in transit. TokenEx can be a valuable tool for business owners who need to ensure compliance with the NIST regulations as well as international standards.
Step Four: Proactively Manage Access Controls
Not everyone in an organization needs access to PII. A company’s PII policy should always include identity and access management (IAM) best practices. They must be proactively managed to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to PII, helping to prevent the risk of accidental leaks and insider threats.
Step Five: Monitor and Respond Appropriately
Every company that handles PII should have a business continuity and recovery plan that outlines what steps to take during an attack or following a data leak. All companies should also have a system in place for monitoring PII, as most breaches occur without anyone noticing. Catching a data breach early can help to prevent the exploitation of the stolen data and protect the company’s reputation.
Find the Right Partner
Most businesses need some help with managing PII compliance. The best thing business owners can do is to reach out to third-party companies that provide added security for sensitive data. Find a promising-looking service provider and reach out for details today.
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Phone: 407-875-1833
Country: United States
Website: Realtimecampaign.com
