What type of data contains personnel records and salary information used within an organization?

The best answer in this context is that personnel records and salary information fall under the category of private data. Private data refers to information that is not meant to be shared publicly and is restricted to use by specific individuals or entities for legitimate purposes. This type of data often involves personal information, including employee records, compensation details, medical information, and any other information that, if disclosed, could potentially harm the individual or violate their privacy rights.

While it is true that sensitive data often encompasses private data, sensitive data is a broader term that can include any information that, if compromised, would pose a risk to an individual or organization, including financial records, intellectual property, and trade secrets. Confidential data similarly refers to information that is intended to be kept secret, but the term is often used in specific contexts, such as attorney-client relationships or classified government information. Public data, on the other hand, is information that is readily available to the public and does not require protection or special permissions to access.

Thus, personnel records and salary information are specifically associated with private data due to their personal nature and the expectations of confidentiality that come with the employment relationship.