What is the purpose of masking in computer security?

Masking in computer security serves the key purpose of blocking out sensitive information. This technique allows organizations to protect sensitive data by obfuscating it in a way that it cannot be easily interpreted or accessed by unauthorized users, while still allowing it to be usable in a controlled manner.

For instance, in scenarios like software testing, real data may need to be used, but exposing personal identifiable information (PII) can put data privacy at risk. Masking ensures that while the format and size of the data remain consistent, the actual sensitive information is hidden or transformed, preventing any potential breaches while still allowing the necessary functionality to be tested or used without revealing the underlying real data.

This approach is particularly valuable in compliance with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA, which demand stringent control over how sensitive data is handled, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the original information.