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Protect your personally identifying information

  • Published
  • By Karen Frey
  • 375th Communications Squadron Base Records
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  A large number of Air Force offices on base handle personal information; therefore, it is imperative that all personnel understand what constitutes Personally Identifying Information and the proper handling of this sensitive information. 

What is PII? PII is defined as information that directly identifies an individual. Examples include names, addresses, social security numbers, telephone numbers or e-mail addresses. It is vital to protect this information, because it can easily result in identity theft. 

Identity theft is a situation in which an individual's personal information is used without authorization in an attempt to commit fraud or other crimes. 

How should you protect PII information? First off, do not leave items such as performance reports, recall rosters or alpha rosters in an area that could result in their loss or theft. Additionally, once the information is no longer needed, dispose of it. Disposing does not just mean it should be thrown in the trash, it should be shredded. 

Additionally, all For Official Use Only and PII information sent via e-mail should be encrypted. 

Discovery of any disclosures of PII data should be reported immediately through a supervisor and chain of command. Karen Frey is the base Privacy Act manager and should be contacted at 256-3210. Air Mobility Command's Privacy Act manager is Master Sgt. Karen Blaha, she can be reached at 229-5273. 

Additionally, lost, stolen or possibly compromised PII should be reported to U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team via http://www.us-cert.gov/ within one hour of discovery. Notification to the affected individuals is necessary and must be made within 10 business days of the discovery. An investigation will be initiated and those who are found guilty of causing the breach could be charged with criminal and civil penalties. 

Everyone has the potential of becoming a victim. The monetary and emotional cost of repairing an individual's identity can be expensive, requiring years to recover. Everyone must be diligent in protecting PII information.