What type of safeguards should agencies establish to protect PII?

Agencies should establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) because this comprehensive approach ensures multiple layers of security. Administrative safeguards involve policies and procedures designed to manage the selection, development, implementation, and maintenance of security measures to protect PII. This includes training for staff and establishing protocols for managing access to sensitive information.

Technical safeguards encompass the technological measures used to protect data, such as encryption, access control, and secure storage solutions. These are essential in preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the information.

Physical safeguards refer to the physical barriers and security measures put in place to protect data and the systems that store it. This could include security personnel, locks, surveillance cameras, and controlled access to buildings or areas where PII is handled.

The combination of all three types of safeguards creates a robust security framework that addresses various vulnerabilities and threats, therefore significantly enhancing the overall protection of PII against data breaches and misuse.