Data Masking Tools

Introduction to Data Masking Tools

Data Masking Tools protects sensitive data of an Organization from a potential data breach by obfuscating the personal data like credit card numbers, social security number, bank account numbers and location with fictitious characters and present the desensitized data safely in the non-production environment for development/testing team to test their program meaningfully. These tools prevents live sensitive data from being accessible by anyone who are not authorized to view it and save the organization from a possible data breach, loss of image, regulatory non-compliance, customer dissatisfaction and business loss. Data Obfuscating can be achieved by filling the data fields with dummy characters, scrambled data, random text/numbers and data encryption.

Data Masking Tools Features

Evolution of Data masking tools started with custom scripts developed by in house team which had several flaws and operational issues. Stored procedures replaced custom scripts and manual activities were replaced with automated processes. Later tools adopted extract, transform and load concepts while copying the live data into masked data area and this method is known as static masking. The latest tool provides virtual masking facility in which the data is delivered dynamically in a masked condition from the live database on a real time whenever demanded by the users and this method is known as dynamic masking.

Features:

• Access to share all data sources available in the system.
• Provides realistic de-sensitized data for testing.
• Masking rules are easily configurable and are not controlled by codes.
• Masked data is made available to users on their demand.
• Variety of masking options is made available to users.
• Option to apply different rules for main set and sub set of data.
• An effective system to track compliance as per the piracy law.

Top Data Masking Tools

Given below are top tools:

1. Oracle – Data Masking and Sub Setting

It focusses on improved data security, accelerated compliance and ensure that masked copies are available to testing and development team. This tool automatically identifies sensitive data and its child data within the database. It maintains a centralized library of masking format that offers ready to use masking formats and user get multiple options to mask any given data. Oracle provides comprehensive transformation procedures for masking data of different use cases with varied conditions.

Its performance is fast, secured and it manages heterogeneous data sources including non-oracle databases. This tool adds little overhead to the system and consumes little amount of resources. It is an expensive product and more training is needed to use this tool. This product is offered in cloud, deployed in Mac, Linux and Windows platform and supports Semantics Database Model (SDM), Database Deployment Manager (DDM), Data Virtualization and Tokenization Model.

2. Delphix Data Masking

Delphix is the market leader in DataOps that brings agility and speed in data pipeline processes right from collection to delivery. This product pioneered on-demand delivery of data from virtual environment it creates based on demand from users and it operates in a secured and regulatory complaint environment. Another key feature in this versioning of data similar to program codes.

It has more cloud offerings with flexibility to move across various clouds and provide a strong interface with APIs for data services. This tool circumvents bottlenecks in data and injects growth in the organization. It started its mission with Oracle database and expanded to SQL server, DB2, SAP ASE, SAP HANA and other renowned DB platforms.

3. Informatica Dynamic Data Masking

High scalability, versatility to adopt to multiple database environments, increased security levels with reduced data leak, encrypting sensitive data, dynamic masking and effective user authentication procedure are its key strengths of this product. This solution is offered in cloud and on-premises and interfaced with any external authentication solution.

This tool automates data massaging and preparation process and user gets a faster access to the sensitized data. Total cost of operation is lower and being a renowned cloud services company, informatica provides seamless interfaces with micro services through APIs. Several AI features are embedded into this product to reap the benefits of data for the enterprise. It supports Semantics Database Model and Database Deployment Manager.

4. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy

It provides world class data masking features and is an ideal solution for BFSI Industries where upgrades and product enhancement are a routine activity. InfoSphere provides the confidentiality and security of the data BFSI industry demands especially in the multiple vendor development/support eco system. It is a perfect tool for data environment and data privacy.

Data extraction from production database and masking procedures can be easily configured and no coding effort is required. The conversion takes place at a faster rate in a secured channel. IBM assures improvement in business outcomes, risk management and data compliance and operational efficiencies. Main strengths of IBM namely strong product line up, efficient services backup and consulting are applicable for this product as well. It supports windows, Linux, mainframe and big data platforms and SDM, DDM, virtualization and synthetic data generation technology.

5. Microsoft SQL Server Data Masking

High scalability, capability to manage large data volumes and compatibility with any data sources and application platforms are the Unique selling propositions (USP) of this product. It provides a robust and consistent relational database (RDMS) model for storing the primary and masked data.

It uses dynamic data masking features to mask the data while it is queried from the database under a secured environment. SQL server has four types of masking facility namely Partial, Default, Radom and Email and the selection of type is based on the type of the data to be masked. Inherent strengths of Microsoft in Product portfolio, services, consulting and customer focus drive organization towards acquiring this product.

6. Micro Focus Voltage SecureData Enterprise

This tool manages data stored in multiple database platforms located in on-premises, cloud. This tool encrypts data using format preserving encryption/hash and tokenization features.

Other Tools:

• Qilk Gold client
• DATPROF data masking tool
• IRI FieldShield
• Test Data Manager of CA Technologies
• DataSunrise Database & Data security
• HushHush Data making components
• Single Connect

Conclusion

Selection of the right data masking tool depends on the data size, expected requirements, ability of the vendors in meeting the requirements, sensitive data discovery mechanism, data management features cost and other business parameters. Organization should exercise caution and do due diligence before committing to a tool.

This is a guide to Data Masking Tools. Here we discuss the introduction to Data Masking Tools, features and top data masking tools respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. Database Testing Tools
2. Data Quality Tools
3. Data Modelling Tools
4. Free Data Analysis Tools