Data Masking Tools and Software for 2024: Data masking is the process of replacing original data with structurally similar data that provides false values, meaning the original format is retained but the values are altered. This change in values occurs through methods such as encryption, scrambling, substitution, and so on.
The data masking process makes it nearly impossible to retrieve the original data, thus it is a one-way process.
There are many tools available in the market that facilitate data masking tasks, and this article presents the best data masking tools and software for 2024.
What is Data Masking?
Data masking, as the name suggests, is a process of creating a fake version of your organizational data while retaining the original data. Data masking is primarily used for software testing, product demonstrations, or user training, where real data is not required.
What are the Benefits of Using Data Masking?
Prevents serious threats: data loss, data extraction, internal threats, or account breaches.
Cloud adoption: reduces data risks associated with cloud reliance.
Encryption: renders data useless to attackers.
Reduces exposure: allows data sharing with authorized users, such as testers and developers, without revealing production data.
Data sanitization: replaces old values with fake ones since regular file deletion still leaves traces of information.
Best Data Masking Tools and Software for 2024
1. DATPROF
The DATPROF tool provides a smart way to mask and generate data for database testing. It holds a patent for an algorithm that efficiently partitions databases.
This data masking tool can handle complex data relationships through an easy-to-use interface. It has a truly clever way of avoiding all triggers, constraints, and indicators, making it the best-performing tool in the market.
Features:
Compatible with many applications and databases.
Supports XML and CSV files.
HTML auditing.
Data testing automation using REST API.
Pros:
High performance with large datasets.
Free trial available.
Easy to install and use.
All major databases are supported.
Cons:
Documentation available only in English.
Template development requires Windows.
Templates can be executed on Windows or Linux.
2. IRI FieldShield
The IRI FieldShield data masking tool is very popular in the database and test data masking market due to its speed, low cost, and support for diverse data sources. It is compatible with other IRI data masking functions, testing, ETL, Eclipse data quality and analysis, SIEM tools, and Erwin platform metadata.
Features:
Search and classify data from multiple sources.
A wide range of masking features (including FPE) to anonymize PII and mask its identity.
Reference integration across schemas and multiple databases.
Built-in reID risk assessment and audit trails such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS compliance.
Pros:
High performance without the need for a central server.
Simple metadata and multiple options for designing graphical functions.
Works with a subset of databases, ETL functions, main database replication, encryption key management, TDM gateway, and SIEM environments in Voracity.
High-speed support and cost-effectiveness (especially compared to IBM, Oracle, and Informatica).
Cons:
1NF supports only structured data.
Dark Shield is required for BLOBs, etc.
IRI Workbench IDE is free (not web-based).
DDM requires calling the FieldShield API or a premium proxy server option.
3. Accutive Dashboard
The Accutive Data Masking (ADM) tool provides the ability to discover and mask sensitive data while ensuring that data properties and fields remain intact across any number of sources.
Data discovery allows you to efficiently identify sensitive data based on editable compliance filters or user-defined search terms.
You can feed the data discovery results into the data masking configuration or specify your own results. Even after being processed by the masking process, the data remains visible but fictitious, and the masked data is consistent across all sources.
Masking production data for non-production applications reduces the risk of data breaches while helping to meet regulatory requirements.
Features:
Data discovery – enables effective identification of sensitive data that must meet regulatory compliance standards such as GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, OSFI/PIPEDA, and FERPA.
Mask Link technology – the ability to consistently and repeatedly mask source data for the same value across multiple databases.
Multiple data sources and destinations – data can be moved from any type of primary source to any type of primary destination such as Oracle, DB2, MySQL, and SQL Server (for example, data transferred from a flat file to an Oracle database).
API support: Include data masking in your data processing workflow.
Pros:
User-friendly and configurable interface.
Cost-effective solution with transparent pricing model.
Use the built-in progress bar to quickly make masking configurations.
Cons:
Scripts to customize application behavior require programming knowledge.
Currently not available in languages other than English, French, Spanish, and German.
4. Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting
Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting helps eliminate duplicate test data and other procedures by removing unnecessary data and files. This tool suggests a data schema and uses masking instructions, including HIPAA, PCI DSS, and PII policies.
Features:
Automatically recognizes complex data and their relationships.
A wide library of masking plans and an extended application model.
Full data masking.
Fast, secure, and organized.
Pros:
Suggests various data masking methods.
Supports non-Oracle databases.
Short execution time.
Cons:
High cost.
Reduced security in the development and testing environment.
5. Delphix
Delphix is a fast and secure tool and one of the best open-source data masking tools for masking data across your organization. This includes encrypted HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOX regulations.
The Delphix Masking Engine, in conjunction with the Delphix Data Virtualization platform, preserves data load operations. DDM is available through a partnership with Hexa Tier.
Features:
Comprehensive data masking and reporting.
Data masking with data virtualization to facilitate data transfer.
User-friendly as no training is required for data masking.
Continuously migrate data between locations, whether on-premises or in the cloud.
Pros:
Easy and quick recovery of records.
Database virtualization.
Fast data updates.
Cons:
High cost.
SQL Server database is slow and limited.
Relies on the old NFS protocol.
6. Informatica Persistent Data Masking
This is an easily accessible data masking tool that helps IT organizations access and manage the most complex data.
It provides enterprise scalability and robustness for a large number of databases, using a single audit trail to create reliable data masking rules, allowing you to track actions taken to protect sensitive data through complete audit logs.
Features:
Supports strong data masking.
Build and integrate the masking process from one place.
Handles large databases.
Provides extensive connectivity and support for custom applications.
Pros:
Reduces the risk of data breaches through a single audit trail.
Improves the quality of development, testing, and training.
Easy deployment on workstations.
Cons:
Requires more work on the user interface.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the best data masking tools and software for 2024. The tools mentioned above are the most popular and secure, and their technologies align with technical requirements. These tools feature a simple user interface and easy installation processes as well. You can choose any of these tools based on your requirements.
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