PersonID

In information systems, a personID is a unique identifier assigned to an individual to distinguish that person within a given dataset, application, or ecosystem. It serves as a stable reference that can be used to link records, authorize access, and attach attributes such as name, contact details, and roles without duplicating the person's identity across files.

Formats of a personID vary. They can be numeric, alphabetic, or alphanumeric tokens and may be generated sequentially, randomly, or using globally unique identifiers such as UUIDs. In many organizations, a single personID is managed by a master data management layer or identity and access management system; in other cases, multiple domain-specific IDs exist with mapping between them.

Common uses include customer records, employee files, patient charts, student enrollments, and government records. The personID enables data integration by serving as a key in databases, enabling joins, audits, and cross-system reporting while reducing data duplication and inconsistency.

Security and privacy considerations are central. Access to personIDs and the data they link should be governed by access controls and encryption; identifiers are often considered sensitive personal data. Organizations implement data governance, identity verification, and auditing to mitigate risks of credential stuffing, identity theft, and linkage attacks.

Interoperability is aided by identity resolution techniques and standards for identity management. While no universal standard exists for all contexts, approaches such as identity graphs, single sign-on, and data governance frameworks help coordinate multiple personIDs across systems while preserving privacy and consent.