(also sensitive data)
Important information that no one should be able to access without permission. It’s a broad term that encompasses details about a person’s religious beliefs, political opinions, genetic or health data, racial or ethnic origin, biometric data, etc. If data like this is leaked, it might cause someone financial or reputational damage or be used for malicious purposes if it falls into the wrong hands.
In business, sensitive data is confidential data that must not leave the company. This can be customers’ personal and financial data or important trade secrets or strategies that competitors might abuse.
Personal data falls under the category of sensitive information but is a much narrower term. It includes information that can be used to identify someone, like their name, surname, social security number, ID and driver’s license details, or phone number.