What is data masking?

Data masking is a process used to protect sensitive information by replacing original data with fictional but realistic data. The goal is to ensure that confidential data, such as personal identification numbers or financial information, cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, especially in non-production environments like testing or development. Data masking maintains the format and structure of the original data so that applications can function correctly while ensuring privacy and compliance with regulations. This technique is commonly used in industries that handle large amounts of sensitive information, such as healthcare, finance, and government.