Data Masking vs Tokenization
Protecting Sensitive Data: What's the Difference?
What Is Data Masking?
Replaces sensitive data with fake but realistic values
Commonly used in testing, development, and training environments
Original data is inaccessible but format remains usable
What Is Tokenization?
Replaces sensitive data with a non-sensitive placeholder (token) Tokens are mapped to real data via a secure token vault
Ideal for protecting data like credit card numbers in production systems
Key Differences
When to Use Each?
Use Data Masking: When developers or testers need realistic but fake data
Use Tokenization: When storing or transmitting real sensitive data like PII or payment info
Takeaway
Both methods reduce data exposure, but serve different goals. Choose based on your use case, compliance needs, and data sensitivity.