An apparatus for private personal identification number (PIN) management comprises a memory and a PIN comparator in communication with the memory. The PIN comparator is configured to ascertain a first delay period of a preceding PIN. The first delay period is greater than zero if the preceding PIN does not match a validated PIN and the first delay period equals zero if the preceding PIN matches the validated PIN. The PIN comparator is further configured to receive a current PIN after at least the first delay period and delay for a second delay period if the current PIN does not match the validated PIN. The second delay period is greater than the first delay period.