ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
Which of the following is considered Sensitive PII?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'PII' with 'Sensitive PII' — all four options are PII, but only the Social Security Number rises to the sensitive classification because of its potential for identity theft and financial harm.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Social Security Number
Sensitive PII is defined as personally identifiable information that, if disclosed, could cause harm or enable identity theft, and it typically includes data elements like Social Security Numbers, financial account numbers, and medical records. A Social Security Number is the canonical example because it is a unique government-issued identifier that can be used to open credit lines, file fraudulent tax returns, or impersonate the individual. Email addresses, phone numbers, and names are generally classified as non-sensitive PII because they are often publicly available and cannot alone be used to commit identity theft.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Email address
Why it's wrong here
An email address alone is non-sensitive PII, since it identifies but does not by itself harm the subject if exposed. It is tempting because email is often paired with sensitive data, but Sensitive PII requires elements such as SSN, financial, or health details.
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Social Security Number
Why this is correct
A Social Security Number uniquely identifies an individual and is issued by the US government, so its exposure can directly enable identity theft. That inherent identifiability is what classifies it as Sensitive PII rather than ordinary personal data.
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Phone number
Why it's wrong here
A phone number alone is non-sensitive PII, identifying but not inherently damaging the subject. It is tempting because phone numbers are often bundled with sensitive records, but Sensitive PII requires elements such as SSN, financial, or health data.
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Name
Why it's wrong here
A bare name alone is not Sensitive PII; sensitivity arises when combined with identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial accounts or medical data. Names are ordinary PII, used for routine identification in directories and correspondence. A name becomes Sensitive PII only when linked to protected attributes, so this option fails the scenario's threshold.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Key term
PII
PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information, which is any data that can be used to identify a specific individual.
Key term
Personally identifiable information
Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that can be used to identify, contact, or locate a specific individual, either alone or when combined with other information.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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