Which of the following is an example of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

• A. Company email address
• B. Employee ID number
• C. Social Security Number (SSN)
• D. Department name

Answer: (C)

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that could potentially be used to identify a specific individual. This type of information can be sensitive and often requires protection under privacy laws and regulations.

Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are a prime example of PII because they are unique identifiers assigned to individuals in the United States. An SSN is directly tied to a person's identity and is often used in various contexts such as employment, banking, and taxation. The potential for misuse of an SSN highlights the importance of protecting this type of information to prevent identity theft and ensure privacy.

In contrast, the other options listed do not meet the same criteria for PII. A company email address may identify an employee but does not necessarily point to their personal identity without additional context. An employee ID number is typically used within a specific organization and does not disclose personal identity outside that context. A department name also lacks specificity and does not identify individual employees, as multiple individuals may belong to the same department. Thus, while they may be associated with an employee, they do not qualify as PII like the Social Security Number does.