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Data Masking

What is Data Masking?

A technique that replaces sensitive data with realistic but fictitious values to protect confidential information while maintaining data usability for testing or analytics.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern data masking

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on data masking

Requirements naming data masking across 2 standards, quoted from the control text.

DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition)1 control

Protect data at rest and in transit using encryption, masking, or tokenisation appropriate to risk.

DMBOK-DSec-03 · Data Masking and Encryption →
ISO 27002:20221 control

Requires data masking to be used in accordance with the topic specific policy on access control, other related topic specific policies and business requirements, taking applicable legislation into account.

iso-27002-2022::8.11 · Data masking →

Questions people ask about data masking

What is Data Masking?
A technique that replaces sensitive data with realistic but fictitious values to protect confidential information while maintaining data usability for testing or analytics.
Why is Data Masking important for compliance?
Data Masking is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding data masking helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Data Masking?
Data Masking appears in the requirement text of DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition), ISO 27002:2022. Across these standards we have identified 2 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Data Masking?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how data masking applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Data Masking applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.