Protected data refers to any information that is legally guarded or sensitive due to its nature. In the context of the organization described, the main database contains Intellectual Property (IP), which includes patents that are legally protected forms of inventions and designs. The secondary database holds Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which comprises data that can be used to identify individuals, such as names and contact details. Both IP and PII are considered protected data and should be identified during an internal audit to ensure they are handled according to legal and regulatory standards. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)