Modernizing App Development and Support With Data Masking and Subsetting Solutions
Nearly every organization manages sensitive customer data, including personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, and payment details. The data must be secure, but accessible to those who need it.
In one firm, the IT team frequently used data for application development and testing, while prioritizing data security and compliance. Yet managing and securing the data created several challenges.
Business Challenges: Using Secure Production Data for Efficient App Development and Support
The global insurance firm faced three critical challenges when managing and utilizing its data for development and testing. These challenges included:
1. Ensuring data security. The organization needed to provide reliable copies of production data to application developers and testers—and ensure that the data was secure.
2. Managing test data. Extracting and subsetting targeted production data to reduce the size and complexity of test data sets was inefficient and time consuming.
3. Protecting sensitive information. A top priority in all organizations is safeguarding sensitive customer data from unauthorized exposure. Maintaining data security and integrity is critical, and the organization needed to make these processes faster and more effective.
Traditional methods for preparing test data were time-consuming and prone to human error. This resulted in inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and increased operational risks. The organization needed to ensure that data sets were not compromised and accurately represented the production environment.
The Solution: Using DataVantage Data Masking and Subsetting Capabilities
To address its ongoing data challenges, the organization implemented comprehensive data subsetting and masking utilizing DataVantage customized to the firm’s needs.
The DataVantage solution delivered advanced capabilities to ensure seamless integration with existing workflows while securing the firm’s data. DataVantage features, capabilities, and benefits that solved the organization’s challenges include:
- Data subsetting. Production data was copied into small, manageable data sets tailored to specific testing requirements. This subsetting process maintained the integrity and relationships of the original data, ensuring relevance to real-world scenarios, while reducing data volume and complexity.
- Data masking. Sensitive customer data, such as driver’s license numbers, account numbers, and social security numbers, were automatically masked with fictitious but contextually accurate values. The masked data retained the structure, format, and usability required for effective development and testing, while ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
- Process automation. Subsetting and masking processes were integrated into the firm’s workflows. Processes were developed to fully automate subsetting, eliminating manual intervention and ensuring consistent, repeatable processes. Automation enhanced efficiency and allowed the IT team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than repetitive tasks.
The Results: Verifiable Improvements in Multiple Areas
The implementation of the DataVantage data subsetting and masking solution enabled the global insurance firm to achieve measurable improvements across several key areas.
Four high-value business outcomes include:
- Enhanced data security. Sensitive information was protected from unauthorized access, minimizing the risk of data breaches and compliance violations.
- Improved operational efficiency. Automating data management tasks reduced processing times, improved workflows, and eliminated errors caused by manual intervention. Small, targeted data sets streamlined development workflows and reduced storage and processing requirements.
- Realistic testing environments. Developers and others gained access to secure, high-quality, masked data sets that accurately represent production environments, leading to improved application quality.
- Scalable data management. The DataVantage solution’s scalability allowed the global insurance firm to efficiently handle increasing data demands without incurring additional overhead.
Transforming App Development and Testing Workflows
With the DataVantage subsetting and masking solution, the global insurance firm successfully optimized its application development, support, and testing processes.
By balancing security, accuracy, and efficiency, the organization established a foundation for innovation while meeting regulatory and operational requirements. The firm is now better positioned to meet current and future data needs for applications.
About DataVantage
Direct Computer Resources, Inc, is the developer of DataVantage software solutions. With a focus on data masking and data management software, the company offers innovative technologies that streamline operations, ensure compliance, and secure data, helping businesses stay competitive in a data-driven world.
