Data Masking replaces authentic original data with structurally similar data that provides fake values. In simple terms, the original format of the data is retained while the values are changed.
Values change through methods such as encryption, shuffling, substitution, etc. Data masking makes it nearly impossible to obtain or reverse engineer the original data; hence, it is a one-way process.
Let us discuss the best data masking tools in the market that will make your task easier.
Here are the twelve top data masking tools:
1. DATPROF
DATPROF Data Masking tool provides a smart way of masking and generating data for testing the database. It has patented an algorithm for subsetting the database efficiently.
The Data Masking tool is able to handle complex data relationships with an easy-to-use interface. It has a really smart way to avoid all triggers, constraints, and indexes so it is the best-performing tool in the market.
Features:
- Consistent over multiple applications and databases.
- XML and CSV file support.
- Built-in synthetic data generators.
- HTML audit / GDPR reporting.
- Test data automation with REST API.
- Web Portal for easy provisioning.
Pros:
- High performance on large data sets.
- Free trial version available.
- Easy to install and use.
- all major relational databases are natively supported.
Cons:
- English documentation only.
- Development of templates requires Windows.
- Execution of templates can be done on Windows or Linux.
2. IRI FieldShield
The IRI FieldShield data masking tool is popular in the DB data masking and test data market due to its fast, low cost, compliance capabilities, and various data sources supported. It is compatible with other IRI data masking, testing, ETL, Eclipse data quality and analysis jobs, SIEM tools, and Erwin platform metadata.
Features:
- Profiling, detection (searching), and classification of data from multiple sources.
- A wide range of masking features (including FPE) for anonymizing and anonymizing PII.
- Referential integrity across schemas and multi-DB / file scenarios.
- Built-in reID risk assessment and audit trails such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS.
Pros:
- High performance that does not require a central server.
- Simple metadata and multiple options for graphical job design.
- Works with DB Subset, Synthesize, Reorganize, Migrate, ETL Jobs, and Key DB Cloning, Cryptographic Key Management, TDM Portal, and SIEM environments in Voracity.
- High-speed support and affordability (especially compared to IBM, Oracle, and Informatica).
Cons:
- 1NF only supports structured data.
- Dark Shield is required for BLOB etc. The free IRI Workbench IDE is a client Eclipse UI (not web-based).
- The DDM requires a FieldShield API call or a premium proxy server option.
Pricing: Free trial & POC help. Low 5-figure cost for perpetual use or free in IRI Voracity.
Learn more about FieldShield
3. Accutive Data Discovery & Masking
Accutive’s Data Masking Platform (ADM) is known for its ability to rapidly scan across the enterprise and automatically mask sensitive data, to make it usable for testing and development. It enables DevOps to use high-quality production-like data, without having to worry about data security or compliance.
ADM is ideal for organizations handling sensitive customer information, large volumes of complex data, and multiple databases, including financial institutions, healthcare organizations, telecommunications organizations, and public sector entities.
Features:
- In-built Compliance Filters: Quickly identifies sensitive data to meet standards like GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, OSFI/PIPEDA, and FERPA.
- High-Performance Masking: Handles 250,000 operations per second and allows scheduling during off-peak times.
- Enterprise-Wide Referential Integrity: Masks data consistently across multiple databases (e.g., “Smith” is always masked as “Jones”).
- Advanced Masking Capabilities: Preserve your data integrity with smart generation of anonymized addresses, zip/postal codes, SSN/SIN, email addresses, employers, and more.
- Multiple Data Sources and Destinations – Seamlessly integrates with multiple data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, MongoDB, and more.
Pros:
- User-friendly, configurable interface
- Extremely responsive customer support
- A low-cost solution with a transparent pricing model.
- 6-month money-back ‘satisfaction guarantee’, no questions asked.
Cons:
- ADM does not offer dynamic data masking; it only offers static data masking, subsetting, discovery, and tokenization.
Pricing: Free Starter Edition with Professional Tier starting at 9,890 USD.
Learn more about Accutive
4. Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting
The Oracle Data Masking and Subsetting Data Masking tools provide database customers with the benefits of increased security, faster delivery, and lower IT prices.
Helps remove duplicate data testing, development, and other actions by removing redundant data and files. This tool suggests a plot of the data and uses the masking instructions. This includes HIPAA, PCI DSS, and PII-encoded policies.
Features:
- automatically recognizes complex data and their relationships.
- Wide masking plan library and extended application model.
- Full data masking revolution.
- fast, safe, and sorted.
Pros:
- suggests various data masking habits.
- Supports non-Oracle databases.
- The execution time is reduced.
Cons:
- High cost.
- The security of the development and test environment is reduced.
Pricing: Contact for Pricing.
5. Delphix
Delphix Data Masking Tool is a fast, secure and one of the top open source data masking tools for masking data across your enterprise. This includes HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOX-encoded rules.
The Delphix Masking Engine, in combination with the Delphix Data Virtualization Platform, saves and saves data loads. DDM exists through a partnership with Hexa Tier.
Features:
- End-to-end data masking and reporting.
- Masking In combination with data virtualization to facilitate data transfer.
- Easy to use as no training is required to mask the data.
- Continuously migrate data between sites, on-premises, or in the cloud.
Pros:
- Restore recordings easily and quickly.
- Database virtualization.
- Data update is fast.
Cons:
- High cost.
- SQL Server database is slow and limited.
- Depends on the legacy NFS protocol.
Pricing: Contact for pricing.
Informatica Persistent Data Masking Tool is an accessible data masking
The Informatica Persistent Data Masking Tool is an easily accessible data masking tool that helps IT organizations access and manage the most complex data.
Provides enterprise scalability, robustness, and integrity for a large number of databases. Use a single audit track to create reliable data masking rules across the industry. Allows you to track actions taken to protect sensitive data through complete audit logs and records.
Features:
- supports robust data masking.
- Build and integrate the masking process from a single location. The
- works to handle large databases.
- Provides extensive connectivity and customized application support.
Pros:
- Reduces the risk of data breaches through a single audit trail.
- Improve the quality of development, testing, and training events. Easy deployment on workstations.
Cons:
- Requires more user interface work.
Pricing: A 30-day free trial is available.
7. Microsoft SQL Server Data Masking
The Dynamic Data Masking Tool is a new security feature announced at SQL Server 2016 that controls unlicensed user access to complex data.
This is a very simple and easy protection tool that you can build using TSQL queries. This data security method detects complex data through fields.
Features:
- This facilitates application design and coding by protecting your data.
- Do not modify or convert the data stored in the database.
- This allows the data steward to choose the level of complex data to expose with less impact on the application.
Pros:
- End operators should not visualize complex data.
- Generating a mask for a column field does not prevent the update.
- No application needs to be modified to read the data.
Cons:
- Full access to data while the table is queried as a privileged user.
- You can remove masking via the CAST command by running an ad hoc query.
- Masking cannot be applied to columns such as Encrypted, FILESTREAM, COLUMN_SET.
Pricing: Free trial is available for 12 months.
8. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy
The IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy data masking tool proposes data mappings and uses masking reports with masking objects. There are predefined reports for PCI DSS and HIPAA.
This offers comprehensive possibilities for efficiently masking complex data in non-production environments. To protect your personal data, this tool replaces sensitive information with true and completely useful masked data.
Features:
- Masks private data on request.
- Lock data to mitigate risk.
- Attach the privacy application.
- Safe environment for application testing.
Pros:
- Just abstract the data without encoding.
- Extended data masking function.
- Smart filtering function.
Cons:
- Requires work with the user interface.
- Complex architecture.
Pricing: Contact for Pricing.
9. CA Test Data Manager
CA Test Data Manager‘s data masking tools comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other laws to help with privacy and compliance issues.
This tool provides data mapping, data movement, and functional masking. There are universal file reports and metadata. We have SDM expertise for complex, large-scale environments with a consistent database.
Features:
- Create synthetic test data for data tests.
- Create future test scenarios and unexpected results.
- Save data for reuse.
- Make a virtual copy of the test data.
Pros:
- Various filters and templates are available to mask data.
- No additional permissions are required to access production data.
- Very fast data masking tool.
Cons:
- Works only on Windows.
- Complex user interface.
- It’s not easy to automate everything.
Pricing: A Free trial is available.
10. Compuware Test Data Privacy
Compuware Test Data Privacy helps in the mapping of data and generic masking reports.
This data masking tool mainly works on the mainframe platform and supports hybrid non-mainframe settings. Their solution offers Topaz for Enterprise Data for reliability, conversancy, and security.
It has two essential areas to perform test data privacy solutions for securing test data i.e. data breach prevention and compliance with data privacy laws.
Features:
- Decreases the difficulty by codeless masking.
- Completes data normalization into and out of the masking process.
- Dynamic Privacy Rules with complex test data essentials such as account numbers, card numbers, etc.
- Allows to discover and mask data within a greater field.
Pros:
- Easy to use and is fast.
- Secures test data against breaks.
- Apply test data privacy to test data, so that it will be more secure.
Cons:
Pricing: Contact for Pricing.
11. NextLabs Data Masking
NextLabs Data Masking tool offers an established software that can shield data and guarantee compliance in the cross-platform.
The essential part of NextLabs data masking is its Dynamic Authorization technology with Attribute-Based Access Control. It secures all critical business data and applications.
Features:
- Helps in classifying and sorting data.
- Monitors data movement and its usage.
- It prevents access to precise data.
- Notifications on risky actions and irregularities.
Pros:
- Can be installed easily in each workstation.
- Evades data breaking.
- Data Safety across CAD, PLM, and email is good.
Cons:
- Software compatibility problems with PLM software.
- Execution is tough at times for the suppliers and vendors.
Pricing: Contact them for pricing.
12. Hush-Hush
The Hush-Hush data masking tool shield helps in recognizing data against internal risk.
It de-identifies the establishment’s complex data. Hush-Hush elements are out-of-the-box procedures that are built for elements such as credit cards, addresses, contacts, etc.
This data masking tool de-identifies data in folders, records, emails, etc., through API. Its custom code can be planned and ad-hocked.
Features:
- Less time and Easy installation.
- Supple, Robustness and takes less time to create workflows.
- Easy and Robust Combination into SQL server, Biztalk, etc.
- Custom SSIS agenda to mask data.
Pros:
- Speed up development.
- No learning curves.
- Create data with just the “INSERT” command.
Cons:
- In startups the growth is fast but progress slows down in developed industries.
- Limited control of data.
Pricing: You may request free use and contact them for final pricing.
Steps to Choose Data Masking Tools
- STEP 1: Consider your requirements
Understand the data you are working with, know what security compliances your company needs to follow and learn about the masking capabilities you need from a tool.
- STEP 2: Compare and assess tools
From the given list, strike off the tools that don’t meet your requirements. Now, you’ll have a few preferred tools.
- STEP 3: Take trials and demos
Take the free trials and demos these tools offer and understand which tool makes it easy for you to work on.
- STEP 4: Pick the budget-friendly tool
Finally, consider your budget for the tool. Choose the tool that fits in your budget and doesn’t hurt the pocket.
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Conclusion
As we end, you have a list of the 12 best data masking tools and know the correct approach to choose the right tool for your business.
Since Data masking is an important aspect of protecting data, it is important to have a solution that provides a secure ETL and data pipeline, and that is where Hevo comes into the picture.
Hevo Data is a No-code Data Pipeline that offers a growing library of 150+ plug-and-play connectors and adheres to all major certifications, including GDPR, SOC II, and HIPAA.
Take Hevo’s full feature 14-day free trial and see the difference!
FAQs Related to Data Masking Tools
1. What is a data masking tool?
A data masking tool is a software application designed to protect sensitive information by obscuring or replacing it with non-sensitive data, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access the original data.
2. What is data masking for GDPR?
Data masking is an essential technique for ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates strict data protection and privacy measures for EU citizens’ personal data.
3. What is a simple example of data masking?
Replacing actual sensitive data (e.g., names, credit card numbers, email addresses) with fictitious or obscured values that maintain the original format but do not reveal the sensitive information.
Share your experience of learning about top data masking tools in the comments section below.
Arsalan is a research analyst at Hevo and a data science enthusiast with over two years of experience in the field. He completed his B.tech in computer science with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and finds joy in sharing the knowledge acquired with data practitioners. His interest in data analysis and architecture drives him to write nearly a hundred articles on various topics related to the data industry.
