Who is primarily responsible for managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in an organization?

The primary responsibility for managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) rests with all employees handling user data. This reflects a holistic approach to data governance, emphasizing that everyone who interacts with PII must understand its sensitivity and the implications of mishandling it. Training employees to recognize PII and safeguard it promotes a culture of security within an organization.

Although specific roles, like the data protection officer, often oversee compliance and advocate for best practices in PII management, the rationale for placing responsibility on all employees is that PII can be encountered in various departments and functions— not just IT, HR, or specific compliance roles. Each employee's awareness and actions are critical, making them all custodians of data privacy and security. This shared responsibility helps to mitigate risks and enhances the organization's overall data protection strategy.