11 Best Data Masking Tools and Software in 2024

Updated December 10th, 2023
header image

Share this article

Data masking tools help you use your data for development, testing, analytics, and other such applications while rendering it useless for external threats. As a result, you can minimize the impact of data breaches.

According to Gartner, using data masking tools can “minimize the footprint and propagation of sensitive data (or its viewing) without extensive custom development.”

This article presents the most widely used data masking tools for small, mid-sized, and large organizations. These tools have been featured on popular review portals such as Gartner and G2.


  1. Broadcom Data Masking
  2. Delphix Data Platform
  3. IBM® InfoSphere® Optim Data Privacy
  4. iMask™ Dynamic Data Masking
  5. Immuta
  6. Informatica Cloud Data Masking
  7. IRI FieldShield
  8. K2View Data Masking
  9. Microsoft Azure (SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, and Synapse Analytics)
  10. Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting
  11. Salesforce Data Mask

Broadcom Data Masking

Broadcom offers data masking as a feature for organizations using Test Data Manager. Thanks to data masking, developers can use this product to generate realistic test data or use existing data without compromising any sensitive information.

With data masking, developers can obfuscate confidential or classified information during the product or software development, testing, and QA phases. As a result, organizations can ensure that their product development processes are effective and comply with regulatory requirements.

What are the main capabilities of Broadcom’s data masking solution?

  • Test Data Manager supports static and dynamic (real-time, on the fly) data masking.
  • Masking sensitive data helps ensure better data quality during testing, which reduces time to market and ensures on-time project deliveries.

Broadcom data masking resources:

Data Masking Guide | Test Data Management | Mainframe InFlight Masking Best Practices Guide

Delphix

The Delphix data platform offers an automated approach to data masking in non-production environments. It masks sensitive information (social security numbers or credit card information) with realistic data so that it can be used for development, testing, QA, and analytics.

Even though the masking algorithms are pre-configured, you can adapt them to meet the security requirements specific to your organization.

Moreover, the platform comes with an intuitive UI and has a no-code/low-code setup, thereby simplifying the installation process.

What are the main capabilities of Delphix’s data masking solution?

  • Delphix performs end-to-end data masking by identifying sensitive data and automatically masking it.
  • Delphix is compliant with data privacy standards, such as GDPR, CCPA, PCI DSS, and HIPAA.
  • You can choose to tokenize the sensitive data instead of masking to reverse the obfuscation. The automatic masking is irreversible.
  • The platform supports all types of applications in the data ecosystem and multi-cloud environments.

Delphix data masking resources:

Delphix Data Masking | Datasheet | Demo Video

IBM® InfoSphere® Optim Data Privacy

IBM® InfoSphere® Optim Data Privacy helps mask and govern sensitive information (PII and other confidential data) for non-production environments such as development, testing, or QA.

The solution can mask data in real-time to prevent or mitigate the damage of a cyber attack. It can also mask on-screen data to guarantee that only the right people can access sensitive information. You can also use Optim Data Privacy to obfuscate the data used in ETL workflows and other data pipelines.

What are the main capabilities of IBM Infosphere Optim Data Privacy?

  • Optim Data Privacy uses popular pre-programmed data transformation techniques to mask sensitive data without losing its context. It comes with 30 pre-defined data classifications and data privacy rules.
  • It facilitates data masking on-demand and simplifies sensitive data discovery by automatically spotting sensitive fields and supporting OCR reading.
  • Optim comes with predefined compliance reports as per the regulations from HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and more.

IBM Infosphere Optim Data Privacy resources

IBM Infosphere Optim Data Privacy | Solution brief | Closing the privacy gap (Whitepaper)

iMask™ Dynamic Data Masking

iMask™ is the dynamic data masking solution from Mentis, a company offering solutions for data privacy, security, and governance. It safeguards sensitive app and database data used in production environments using the NIST-approved fips140 algorithm for encryption and tokenization.

The solution accommodates data from a wide variety of data sources (with structured and unstructured data assets).

What are the main capabilities of iMask™ Dynamic Data Masking?

  • iMask™ enables granular access control — based on roles, users, programs, and locations — and real-time monitoring.
  • You can choose from over 40 data anonymization methods.
  • The static and dynamic data masking techniques co-exist and can be configured to match your use cases.

iMask™ data masking resources:

iMask Dynamic Data Masking | Datasheet | User and role-based masking for an airline in Canada (Case Study)

Immuta

Immuta’s Universal Data Access Control solution offers dynamic data masking and anonymization. The product preserves the confidentiality of sensitive data using advanced privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), as per HIPAA.

What are the main capabilities of Immuta’s Universal Data Access Control solution?

Immuta’s solution enables dynamic data masking and uses several masking techniques. The two prominent techniques also referred to as dynamic PETs include:

  • K-anonymization: Also referred to as ‘hiding in the crowd’, this technique hides an individual’s data within a larger group. So, the sensitive information could belong to any of the individuals in the group. Immuta automates the entire process to avoid a manual or code-based approach to anonymization.
  • Differential privacy: This technique adds noise every time a query is run. The noise gets added depending on the sensitivity of the query. So, data teams can share data without worrying about the confidentiality of sensitive data.

Immuta data masking resources:

Dynamic Data Masking | K-anonymity: Everything you need to know (2022 Guide) | What is differential data privacy?

Informatica

Informatica offers the Persistent Data Masking software that copies sensitive data and uses the techniques of anonymization and encryption to safeguard its privacy. These copies help you carry out testing, development, analytics, and other similar functions using realistic data.

The software applies several masking algorithms (substitution, randomization, or nullification) and techniques specific to PII data (credit cards or financial information). It uses a NIST-standard FPE transformation to enable reversible masking.

What are the main capabilities of Informatica’s data masking tool?

  • A single audit trail with comprehensive logs and reports helps you track whether data privacy regulations are being followed.
  • You can simulate masking rules before deploying them.
  • You can apply masking techniques to data regardless of its source or format.
  • The software is compliant with privacy regulations from GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GLBA.

Informatica data masking resources:

Cloud Data Masking | Datasheet | Informatica Advanced Data Masking Solution

IRI Fieldshield

IRI Fieldshield is part of the IRI Data Protector Suite. This product handles static and dynamic data masking for structured data. They also offer IRI Darkshield to deal with data masking and security for unstructured data.

IRI Fieldshield uses several NSA Suite B and FIPS-compliant encryption methods for data masking.

What are the main capabilities of IRI Fieldshield data masking solution?

  • Fieldshield enables structured data discovery and definition (for context).
  • The product supports hashing, randomization, scrambling, encryption, pseudonymization, tokenization, and redaction to protect sensitive data in production and test environments.
  • Fieldshield complies with data privacy standards such as GDPR, CIPSEA, DPA, FERPA, GLBA, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

IRI data masking resources:

Fieldshield | Data Protector Suite 2022 | Product Overview (Fieldshield)

K2View

K2View Data Masking enables static and dynamic data masking for structured and unstructured data in production and testing environments.

What are the main capabilities of K2View’s data masking tool?

  • K2View automates static and dynamic data masking as well as discovering sensitive (PHI and PII) information across various data sources and formats.
  • The tool uses SHA-266 and SHA-512 encryption algorithms to protect sensitive data.
  • The tool comes with a user-friendly dashboard and supports on-premise and multi-cloud deployments.

K2View data masking resources:

K2View Unified Data Masking | Data masking tools for data-centric enterprises (Whitepaper)

Microsoft Azure (SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, and Synapse Analytics)

Microsoft Azure offers static and dynamic data masking across all of its servers, databases, and environments for analytics and testing. It supports all kinds of cloud deployments and comes with various customizable functions to account for diverse use cases.

To set up a dynamic data masking policy, you can use the Azure Portal.

What are the main capabilities of Microsoft Azure’s data masking solution?

  • Microsoft offers role-based access control (RBAC) and masking functions that can be customized as per your requirements.
  • The solution comes with a DDM recommendations engine that flags the potentially sensitive fields in your databases.
  • Several integrations with third-party databases ensure seamless data masking across various data sources and formats.

Microsoft Azure data masking resources:

Dynamic data masking documentation | Dynamic data masking for SQL Server | Configure dynamic data masking in the Azure portal

Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting

Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting remove sensitive information from non-production environments (test, development, and analytics). The solution discovers and masks sensitive data automatically, sharing only what’s relevant. It also comes with predefined masking formats for each category of data (i.e., credit card numbers, social security information, or phone numbers).

While optimized for Oracle databases, the solution also supports non-Oracle databases.

What are the main capabilities of Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting?

  • Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting enables sensitive data discovery.
  • It supports deployments across various environments.
  • You can choose from various masking (conditional masking, randomization, or key-based reversible masking) and subsetting techniques (goal-based or condition-based) and customize them to match your requirements.
  • It complies with data privacy standards such as GDPR and PCI DSS.

Oracle data masking resources:

Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting | Introduction to Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting | Data Masking | Data Subsetting

Salesforce Data Mask

Salesforce Data Mask lets you build and test applications without compromising sensitive information (PI and PII) by replacing it with dummy data. It ensures that all data stays inside Salesforce.

The solution complies with data privacy standards such as GDPR and CCPA.

What are the main capabilities of Salesforce Data Mask?

  • Salesforce Data Mask lets you choose from data masking techniques such as anonymization, pseudonymization, and deletion.
  • The product lets you select the fields and data types to be obfuscated.

Salesforce resources

Salesforce Data Mask | Install and configure Salesforce Data Mask | Secure your sandbox data

Here are some things to consider before choosing a data masking tool. Understand and map:

  • The quantity of the data you have (also, where and how it’s stored)
  • Your compliance requirements (across geographies)
  • Your private data discovery process (across the organization)
  • The data masking technique that is ideal for your scenario
  • The data masking capabilities that you need (such as techniques used or environments and formats supported)
  • Your budget
  • Reviews and testimonials of the vendors that you shortlist

FAQs on data masking tools

1. Why do I need a data masking tool? Is DDM an important feature to look for?

A data masking tool lets you build and test apps without compromising sensitive information. This is also crucial for running analytics algorithms.

If your applications rely on real-time or streaming data, you should look for dynamic data masking (DDM). According to Gartner, DDM modifies the data stream by masking sensitive data, leaving the original production data untouched.

2. Which data masking tools have the best reviews on Gartner?

If you look at the products listed under Data Masking Technologies on Gartner Peer Insights, here’s a list of some of the best-rated products:

  1. Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database
  2. Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting
  3. iMask by Mentis
  4. Informatica Dynamic Data Masking
  5. IBM® InfoSphere® Optim Data Privacy
  6. CA Test Data Manager (CA Technologies is a Broadcom company)

3. Which data masking vendors are listed on G2?

G2 lists the following as some of the most popular data masking software:

  1. VGS Platform
  2. LiveRamp
  3. Immuta
  4. Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting
  5. CA Test Data Manager (CA Technologies is a Broadcom company)
  6. Informatica Dynamic Data Masking

4. Which data masking tool should I choose?

Before choosing a tool, it’s essential to understand the data types, sources, and use cases (testing or analytics). The next step is to familiarize yourself with the privacy laws and regulations for your situation.

Please go through the criteria that we’ve mentioned to evaluate data masking tools and then pick the one that best matches your requirements.

Also read: Data Masking 101: Types, Techniques, Getting Started


Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Share this article

resource image

Build vs Buy: Delhivery’s Learnings from Implementing a Data Catalog

Delhivery: Leading fulfilment platform for digital commerce. Download now!

[Website env: production]