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Out Of The Box Algorithm Frameworks

This section describes the different algorithm frameworks (Secure Lookup, Segment Mapping, etc) that are available.

Secure Lookup Algorithm Framework

Secure lookup is the most commonly used type of algorithm. It is easy to generate and works with different languages. When this algorithm replaces real, sensitive data with fictional data, it is possible that it will create repeating data patterns, known as “collisions.” For example, the names “Tom” and “Peter” could both be masked as “Matt.” Because names and addresses naturally recur in real data, this mimics an actual data set. However, if you want the masking engine to mask all data into unique outputs, you should use segment mapping.

Sement Mapping Algorithm Framework

Segment mapping algorithms produce no overlaps or repetitions in the masked data. They let you create unique masked values by dividing a target value into separate segments and masking each segment individually.

You can mask up to a maximum of 36 values using segment mapping. You might use this method if you need columns with unique values, such as Social Security Numbers, primary key columns, or foreign key columns. When using segment mapping algorithms for primary and foreign keys, in order to make sure they match, you must use the same segment mapping algorithm for each. You can set the algorithm to produce alphanumeric results (letters and numbers) or only numbers.

With segment mapping, you can set the algorithm to ignore specific characters. For example, you can choose to ignore dashes [-] so that the same Social Security Number will be identified no matter how it is formatted. You can also preserve certain values. For example, to increase the randomness of masked values, you can preserve a single number such as 5 wherever it occurs. Or if you want to leave some information unmasked, such as the last four digits of Social Security numbers, you can preserve that information.

Segment Mapping Example

Perhaps you have an account number for which you need to create a segment mapping algorithm. You can separate the account number into segments, preserving the first two-character segment, replacing a segment with a specific value, and preserving a hyphen. The following is a sample value for this account number:

NM831026-04

Where:

  • NM is a plan code number that you want to preserve, always a two-character alphanumeric code.

  • 831026 is the uniquely identifiable account number. To ensure that you do not inadvertently create actual account numbers, you can replace the first two digits with a sequence that never appears in your account numbers in that location. (For example, you can replace the first two digits with 98 because 98 is never used as the first two digits of an account number.) To do that, you want to split these six digits into two segments.

  • -04 is a location code. You want to preserve the hyphen and you can replace the two digits with a number within a range (in this case, a range of 1 to 77).

Mapping Algorithm Framework

A mapping algorithm allows you to state what values will replace the original data. It sequentially maps original data values to masked values that are pre-populated to a lookup table through the Masking Engine user interface. There will be no collisions in the masked data, because it always matches the same input to the same output. For example “David” will always become “Ragu,” and “Melissa” will always become “Jasmine.” The algorithm checks whether an input has already been mapped; if so, the algorithm changes the data to its designated output.

You can use a mapping algorithm on any set of values, of any length, but you must know how many values you plan to mask. You must supply AT MINIMUM the same number of values as the number of unique values you are masking; more is acceptable. For example, if there are 10,000 unique values in the column you are masking you must give the mapping algorithm AT LEAST 10,000 values.

Info

When you use a mapping algorithm, you cannot mask more than one table at a time. You must mask tables serially.

Binary Lookup Algorithm Framework

A Binary Lookup Algorithm is much like the Secure Lookup Algorithm, but is used when entire files are stored in a specific column. This algorithm replaces objects that appear in object columns. For example, if a bank has an object column that stores images of checks, you can use a binary lookup algorithm to mask those images. The Delphix Engine cannot change data within images themselves, such as the names on X-rays or driver’s licenses. However, you can replace all such images with a new, fictional image. This fictional image is provided by the owner of the original data.

Tokenization Algorithm Framework

A tokenization algorithm is the only type of algorithm that allows you to reverse its masking. For example, you can use a tokenization algorithm to mask data before you send it to an external vendor for analysis. The vendor can then identify accounts that need attention without having any access to the original, sensitive data. Once you have the vendor’s feedback, you can reverse the masking and take action on the appropriate accounts.

Like mapping, a tokenization algorithm creates a unique token for each input such as “David” or “Melissa.” The actual data (for example, names and addresses) are converted into tokens that have similar properties to the original data – such as text and length – but no longer convey any meaning. The Delphix Masking Engine stores both the token and the original so that you can reverse masking later.

Min Max Algorithm Framework

The Delphix Masking Engine provides a "Min Max Algorithm" to normalize data within a range – for example, 10 to 400. Values that are extremely high or low in certain categories allow viewers to infer someone’s identity, even if their name has been masked. For example, a salary of $1 suggests a company’s CEO, and some age ranges suggest higher insurance risk. You can use a min max algorithm to move all values of this kind into the midrange. This algorithm allows you to make sure that all the values in the database are within a specified range.

If the Out of range Replacement Values checkbox is selected, a default value is used when the input cannot be evaluated.

Data Cleansing Algorithm Framework

A data cleansing algorithm does not perform any masking. Instead, it standardizes varied spellings, misspellings, and abbreviations for the same name. For example, “Ariz,” “Az,” and “Arizona” can all be cleansed to “AZ.” Use this algorithm if the target data needs to be in a standard format prior to masking.

Free Text Algorithm Framework

A free text redaction algorithm helps you remove sensitive data that appears in free-text columns such as “Notes.” This type of algorithm requires some expertise to use, because you must set it to recognize sensitive data within a block of text.

One challenge is that individual words might not be sensitive on their own, but together they can be. The algorithm uses profiler sets to determine what information it needs to mask. You can decide which expressions the algorithm uses to search for material such as addresses. For example, you can set the algorithm to look for “St,” “Cir,” “Blvd,” and other words that suggest an address. You can also use pattern matching to identify potentially sensitive information. For example, a number that takes the form 123-45-6789 is likely to be a Social Security Number.

You can use a free text redaction algorithm to show or hide information by displaying either a “black list” or a “white list.”

Blacklist – Designated material will be redacted (removed). For example, you can set a blacklist to hide patient names and addresses. The blacklist feature will match the data in the lookup file to the input file.

Whitelist – ONLY designated material will be visible. For example, if a drug company wants to assess how often a particular drug is being prescribed, you can use a white list so that only the name of the drug will appear in the notes. The whitelist feature enables you to mask data using both the lookup file and a profile set.

For either option, a list of words can be imported from an external text file or alternatively, you can use Profiler Sets to match words based on regular expressions, defined within Profiler Expressions. You can also specify the redaction value that will replace the masked words. Regular expressions defined using Profiler Sets will match individual words within the input text, rather than phrases.