Masking the data has the main purpose of protecting confidential data against unauthorized access. In practice, data masking tools create a version similar to the original data in terms of structure but without revealing its true information. In fact, its original format remains unchanged but the data presented is fictitious. Masked data can be used in test and auditing environments without compromising the result of the analysis, but always ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information. In a time when it is increasingly important to protect sensitive information, the use of data masking has increased significantly. In today’s article, we’ll introduce you to 5 reasons why your business starts using data masking right now!
The main reason and one that should be the focus of your performance as a manager is the enhanced security of the data. With data masking you can use sensitive data in test environments and ensure that confidential information remains unabated. This masked information may be used for marketing and auditing purposes, as well as for analyzes of consumer behavior and market trends.
By masking the data, it will convey an image of concern and responsibility for third-party data, which will please your current and future customers. With the wave of information about the need to protect data, consumers themselves are more concerned about the security of information they share and if they know that your business meets all legal requirements, they will become loyal to your brand and will pass a positive message about you!
Another very important factor concerns the new data protection regulation, which will become mandatory in May 2018. This new law obliges companies to pay special attention to how they treat their customers’ data and in case of non-compliance the fines will be very high. Thus, data masking helps companies comply with the new law and is an essential tool to ensure that information is not lost.
Nowadays it is very important that companies protect their data in all stages of work, since the data is generated until the moment it is released. Thus, data masking solutions allow data to be protected as long as they are being worked on in test environments until they are stored.
Previously, the work of data masking had to be developed manually, which consumed many resources and many hours of work. In addition, the likelihood of human error was very high. With software that does this work, an entire system can be masked in just a few hours, because the runtime is greatly reduced. Thus, in addition to gaining advantages in terms of resource savings, there is also the advantage of ensuring that no errors occur and private data is not exposed.
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