It can be intimidating to navigate the data-masking landscape, especially if you are handling production data. Using the appropriate data masking tools and strategies can help you preserve data governance while guaranteeing the security of important details, such as credit card numbers and private information.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best data masking tools you can use to ensure Security. You should read this post to the end if you don’t want to miss all the insightful details packed in it.
Table of Contents
WHAT IS DATA MASKING?
Data masking is the practice of hiding data for security reasons. In data masking, the original data is hidden by random characters to protect private information from people who aren’t supposed to see it. The main objective of data masking is to protect sensitive and private information from prying eyes when it could be seen by unauthorized parties.
TYPES OF DATA MASKING
1. Static Data Masking
This type of data masking lets you create a clean clone of the database. Until a copy of the database can be safely shared, the approach alters all sensitive data while it is at rest. This procedure makes a backup copy of the production database, loads it into an isolated environment, eliminates any unnecessary information, and then masks static data. After that, the masked copy can be sent to the intended location. It is used to supply realistic and high-quality data for application development.
2. Deterministic Data Masking
The process of mapping two values, known as deterministic masking, replaces one value in a column with an identical value, regardless of whether the values are found in the same row, table, database, schema, instance, server, or database type. Although this method is less secure overall, it is helpful in several circumstances.
You Should Read: 10 Best Ways To Efficiently Secure Business From Cyber Attacks
3. On-the-Fly Data Masking
on-the-fly data masking is a type of data masking where throughout the process of moving data from one environment to another, the data doesn’t come into contact with the disk. This approach transmits smaller chunks of disguised data when needed.
On-the-fly data Masking is perfect for a non-production system where each subset of the masked data subset is saved in the development/test environment.
At the beginning of a development project, on-the-fly masking must be applied to any feed from a production system to a development environment to prevent compliance and security issues.
4. Dynamic Data Masking
The only difference between this masking process and on-the-fly masking is that data is never kept in a secondary data store in the development/test environment. Rather, it is directly streamed from the production system into the development/test environment, where it is saved by another system.
By giving users the option to choose how much sensitive data to disclose while reducing the impact on the application layer, this masking technique helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
WHY IS DATA MASKING IMPORTANT?
Data masking is important because it acts as a preventative step against privacy violations and data breaches. Protecting sensitive data has become a top priority for companies in all sectors due to the rise in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Companies can reduce the risks of unwanted access and maintain compliance with PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA regulations by using data masking strategies.
WHAT ARE THE DATA MASKING TECHNIQUES?
There are numerous data masking techniques available; some are listed below.
1. Data Encryption
Data encryption encrypts the data, which must be decrypted using a decryption key. Without a key, the data has no meaning. A data masking algorithm is used to accomplish this. It is among the safest methods of data masking, but putting it into practice is quite difficult because sophisticated technology is needed to manage, encrypt, and create keys for the data.
2. Data Scrambling
In this technique, after being randomly rearranged, the original information is substituted for the characters that make up the value in the data. In a test database, for instance, an ID number like 76498 might be changed to 84967 from a production database. Although this approach is relatively easy to use, it is less secure and limited to certain kinds of data.
3. Data Shuffling
In this technique, the masked data contains the original data, but it has been jumbled. Each column’s data is rearranged using a random sequence; for instance, real customer names are switched between various customer records. Although the output set appears to be real data, it does not display the actual data for any one person or data record.
4. Nulling Out
Here the data is displayed as “null” or missing when an unauthorized person attempts to access it. As a result, data is less valuable for use in testing and development.
5. Value Variance
Any function’s values, such as the mean, lowest, and maximum values, or any other function, are substituted for the actual values of the data. A range between the highest and lowest price paid, for instance, can be used in place of the purchase price if a consumer makes many purchases. Without revealing the original dataset, this can offer helpful data for a variety of applications.
6. Data Substitution
Here original customer names are replaced with a random selection of names from a phonebook, for example, and data values are changed with values that fall into a realistic range that is comparable to the original values.
You Might Like: Best Backup Apps For iPhone
BEST DATA MASKING TOOLS FOR SECURITY
There are several data masking tools out here. Below is a list of some of the best:
1. Delphix
At the top of our list of the best data masking tools is Delphix. For users who want to streamline business procedures and adhere to data protection laws like the CCPA and GDPR, Delphix has shown to be a vital tool. Delphix provides functionality like bookmarking, rewinding, and updating data as needed, enabling developers and testers to handle their data with ease. It even makes the virtualization of databases possible, allowing for data compression and the creation of accessible virtual databases.
Users report that Delphix’s self-service products have greatly enhanced development cycles and enhanced development processes. Users have noted that using Delphix as an endpoint backup solution reduces data friction and significantly shortens database refresh times from days to minutes. By doing this, the team’s overall productivity is increased and time is saved while also reducing storage expenses.
2. Oracle Data Safe
Oracle Data Safe is next on our list of best data masking tools. Data Safe is a centralized control center for your Oracle databases that assists you in determining how sensitive your data is, assessing data risks, hiding sensitive data, putting security controls in place and keeping an eye on them, evaluating user security, keeping an eye on user behavior, and meeting data security compliance requirements.
Data Safe provides key data security capabilities as a service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, regardless of whether you’re using Oracle Autonomous Database or Oracle Database Cloud Service (Exadata, Virtual Machine, or Bare Metal).
3. Informatica Dynamic Data Masking
Next on our list of best data masking tools is Informatica Dynamic Data Masking. The main advantages of this product are its high scalability, adaptability to various database environments, enhanced security levels with a decreased risk of data leaks, encryption of sensitive data, dynamic masking, and efficient user authentication process. The system can interface with any external authentication system and has deployment options for both cloud and on-premises environments.
Informatica, a well-known provider of cloud services, offers smooth API interfaces with microservices at a reduced overall cost of operation. Several AI elements are integrated into this application to maximize the advantages of enterprise data and it supports Database Deployment Manager and Semantics Database Model.
4. DATPROF Data Masking
DATPROF is next on our list of best data masking tools. With the help of DATPROF’s reliable data masking technologies, companies can successfully protect sensitive data. Among data masking tools, it is unique in that it provides an extensive range of capabilities that guarantee compliance and data safety. Encryption, tokenization, and data shuffling are just a few of the many masking techniques that DATPROF offers to ensure complete data protection.
DATPROF has automated masking operations that allow data security across several databases and applications to be effective and consistent. It is concerned with adhering to data privacy laws and regulations, guaranteeing safe and law-abiding data masking techniques.
You Should Also Read: 5 Tips for Enhancing Cloud Security
5. VGS Platform
The VGS Platform is next on our list of best data masking tools. Very Good Security (VGS) eliminates the need for companies to ever see or handle sensitive data to use and exchange it. VGS was founded on the idea that “you can’t hack what isn’t there,” and it is its goal to safeguard information globally by turning security and privacy from a hindrance to business into an opportunity.
To operate as a custodian for sensitive data, VGS offers what they call a developer-friendly platform that enhances security and speeds up business growth without requiring the expense or risk of securing the data themselves.
6. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy
This is also one of the best data masking tools. It is the perfect option for BFSI Industries, where product enhancement and upgrades are regular tasks, and it offers top-notch data masking characteristics. The BFSI industry requires data security and confidentiality, and InfoSphere delivers it, particularly in the multiple vendor development/support ecosystem. It is the ideal instrument for protecting data privacy and the environment.
Data extraction from the production database and masking procedures are readily configured and don’t require any coding knowledge. It has a secure channel that allows for a faster rate of conversion. IBM guarantees enhanced operational efficiency, data compliance, risk management, and business results. This product can benefit from IBM’s primary capabilities, which include a robust product lineup, effective service backup, and consultancy.
7. Satori
Satori is also one of the best data masking tools. It is a Data security platform (DSP) that makes data and self-service analytics possible. With Satori, you can view all available datasets and obtain instant access to them through a personal data portal. Instead of taking weeks to provide users with secure data access, Satori’s DSP applies the proper security and access controls dynamically.
Access, permissions, security, and compliance regulations are all managed by Satori’s all-inclusive DSP from a single console. With Satori, data teams can increase efficient data utilization throughout the company while adhering to all data security and compliance regulations.
8. iMask Dynamic Data Masking
iMask is next on our list of best data masking tools. iMaskTM is a dynamic data masking tool from Mentis, a firm that provides solutions for data privacy, security, and governance. iMask makes use of the fips140 technique, authorized by NIST, for tokenization and encryption to protect critical app and database data used in production situations. iMask supports data from many different data sources
9. Microsoft SQL Server Data Masking
This is one of the most popular data masking tools. This tool’s unique selling points are its high scalability, capacity to handle massive data volumes, and compatibility with all data sources and application platforms.
It offers a stable and reliable relational database approach for masking and storing primary data. The four types of masking tools available in SQL Server are Partial, Default, Radom, and Email. The choice of type depends on the kind of data that has to be hidden.
10. Broadcom Data Masking
Broadcom is the next on our list of data masking tools. This tool is ideal for organizations that use Test Data Manager. Developers can use this software to create realistic test data or utilize current data without jeopardizing any critical information because of data masking.
Developers can use this tool to conceal sensitive or classified information during product and QA testing or software development stages guaranteeing that their processes for developing new products are efficient and compliant with laws.
11. IRI Voracity
Next on our list of best data masking tools is IRI Voracity. IRI Voracity is a complete software platform for managing data lifecycles quickly, affordably, and ergonomically. IRI Voracity accelerates, unifies, and frequently combines the crucial tasks of data discovery, integration, migration, governance, and data analytics under a single pane of glass.
By its innovative convergence of capabilities and extensive options for job design and runtime, Voracity bends the multi-tool cost, difficulty, and risk curves away from specialist software, disparate Apache projects, and mega vendor ETL packages.
You Might Also Want To Read: Powerful Best Security Apps for Android Devices
12. PHEMI Health DataLab
This is also one of the best data masking tools. With built-in NSA/military-grade governance, privacy, and security, the PHEMI Trustworthy Health DataLab is a unique cloud-based integrated big data management system that makes it easier for healthcare organizations to simplify the ingestion and de-identification of data, foster innovation, and create value from healthcare data.
While conventional technologies merely lock down data, PHEMI solves privacy and security issues as well as the pressing need to safeguard, govern, curate, and control access to personal health information (PHI) that is sensitive to privacy. This enhances collaboration and data sharing both inside and outside of a company, all without adding to the administrative workload or jeopardizing the privacy of sensitive data.
PHEMI Trustworthy Health DataLab is an easy-to-use platform that can be implemented and managed for any size enterprise. It can connect to hundreds of data sources and interfaces with widely used data science and business analysis tools.
13. K2View
The last tool on our list of best data masking tools is K2View. This Data Product Platform makes it possible to create and manage a trusted dataset for each business entity on demand, in real-time. Any authorized data consumer can instantaneously access the dataset, which is always up to date with its sources and flexible enough to adjust to changes as they occur.
FAQS
What can data masking also be called?
Terms like “data anonymization,” “data de-identification,” “data scrambling,” “data scrubbing,” and “data obfuscation” can be used to mean the same thing as data masking as they are used interchangeably.
Is encryption a type of data masking?
Data masking protects data by either deleting all or a portion of the sensitive information and substituting it with a “mask” that has the same structure but a different value while encryption modifies sensitive data using intricate algorithms until it is unintelligible without a key.
FINAL WORDS
We hope this information helps you through the process of determining which data masking tools are suitable for your company. Recall that the perfect tool supports both your organization’s overall data management and security strategy and its particular needs.
Please let us know if there is a tool that you think should be on this list that you have found to be useful.
REFERENCE
- https://atlan.com
- https://slashdot.org/software
- https://www.trustradius.com
- https://sourceforge.net