What is data masking?

Data masking is a technique used to protect data from unauthorized access. It works by obscuring sensitive information with either random characters or some kind of placeholder. In Massachusetts, data masking is primarily used for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or sensitive business information. This technique can prevent breach of confidential or sensitive personal and financial information, as well as be used in accordance with applicable data security laws. Data masking is used to obfuscate the true data while still maintaining the underlying format. It can be used to change names and addresses, as well as numbers and dates. For example, if a credit card number is being stored, the data can be masked so that only the last four digits are visible. This protects the data from being used maliciously, while still allowing authorized users to use the information. Data masking can also be used to protect information as it is transmitted between networks. By applying data masking techniques, the information can be scrambled so that it is less visible to unauthorized users. This can prevent sensitive data from being intercepted or stolen while it is being sent over the internet. Data masking is an important tool for businesses in Massachusetts, as it is a key component of data security laws and regulations. This technique helps ensure that data remains secure and that only authorized personnel can access it. Data masking is also essential for helping organizations comply with their legal obligations for protecting confidential and sensitive information.

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What is data masking?

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