PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
A company uses Cloud DLP to scan a BigQuery table containing customer data. They want to de-identify credit card numbers so that the first 12 digits are masked with 'X' and the last 4 digits remain visible. Which de-identification transform should they use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
MaskingConfig
MaskingConfig with a masking character 'X' and a character mask range from -12 to -1 (or similar) can achieve this. However, for consistent de-identification of credit card numbers, the CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig with an appropriate range might be used, but it preserves format. The direct mask is MaskingConfig. The correct answer is MaskingConfig as it allows masking specific character ranges. The other options: DateShiftConfig shifts dates, BucketingConfig groups values, and CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format but does not mask.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DateShiftConfig
Why it's wrong here
DateShiftConfig shifts dates by a random amount; not applicable for credit card numbers.
- ✓
MaskingConfig
Why this is correct
MaskingConfig can mask characters with a specified character and range; e.g., mask last 12 characters leaving last 4 unmasked.
- ✗
BucketingConfig
Why it's wrong here
BucketingConfig groups values into buckets; not for masking specific characters.
- ✗
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
Why it's wrong here
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format and length but does not mask characters; it replaces with a consistent pseudonym.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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