What is data masking?

Data masking, or data obfuscation, is a method of hiding sensitive data from unauthorized users. It is a form of data security that keeps confidential information secure by replacing certain pieces of information with fake, but realistic-looking data. For example, when a customer’s credit card number is stored in a database, it can be replaced with a string of random numbers and letters that still looks like a credit card number. Data masking is used to protect sensitive data in cases where the data must be available but cannot be seen by someone without the proper clearance or access to the database. This can be used to protect customer data, corporate proprietary information, and especially personal health information. In New Mexico, data masking is an important part of the state’s data security law, which protects personal information from unauthorized access and disclosure. Data masking can also be used to test applications and databases for security vulnerabilities. By masking the sensitive data in a test system, developers can ensure that any vulnerabilities found will not be a risk to real customer data. In New Mexico, the data security laws are designed to ensure that data is properly protected during development and testing as well.

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What is data masking?

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