Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to identify a specific individual, either on its own or when combined with other information. Examples include names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and financial account details. Protecting PII is crucial because its exposure can lead to privacy breaches, identity theft, or financial fraud. Organizations are often required by law or regulation to secure PII and handle it responsibly to protect individuals’ privacy.