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CCSP Practice Question: A healthcare organization stores patient records…
A healthcare organization stores patient records in a cloud database. They need to ensure that database administrators cannot view sensitive columns like SSN and diagnosis. Which data masking technique should be applied?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between masking at query time (dynamic) versus masking at rest (static), and candidates mistakenly choose static masking because they think it 'permanently' protects data, but the key requirement is that DBAs cannot view sensitive columns in the live production database, which only dynamic masking addresses without altering the original data.
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
✓
Dynamic data masking
Dynamic data masking (DDM) is the correct choice because it allows the healthcare organization to mask sensitive columns (e.g., SSN, diagnosis) in real-time at the database query layer, based on user permissions. DDM does not alter the underlying stored data; it transforms the result set on-the-fly for unauthorized users (like DBAs), ensuring they see masked values while authorized personnel see the actual data. This meets the requirement of preventing database administrators from viewing sensitive columns without changing the data at rest.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Dynamic data masking
Why this is correct
DDM masks data in query results based on user privileges.
- ✗
Static data masking
Why it's wrong here
Static masking creates a copy with masked data, not real-time.
- ✗
Encryption at rest
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects data at rest but DBAs with keys can still see plaintext.
- ✗
Tokenization
Why it's wrong here
Tokenization replaces sensitive data with tokens, but requires mapping.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CCSP exam.