Redgate is enhancing its SQL Provision solution to make the masking of data even easier, helping to further comply with new Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements.
SQL Provision allows users to create copies of SQL Server databases using just MB of storage and mask any sensitive data. The virtual cloning technology of SQL Clone is used to create the copies, while Data Masker replaces sensitive data with realistic, anonymized data that preserves semantic integrity. The sanitized copies can then be used by development teams and testers to speed up development, accurately test code, and fix issues faster.
With legislation such as the GDPR and HIPAA requiring organizations to de-identify, pseudonymize or anonymize personally identifiable information used in the development process, the masking element is crucial.
The entire process can also be scheduled and automated using PowerShell so that, for example, the sanitized copies can be created overnight and instantly made available in the morning. Using this method, developers are always working with the latest version of the database, and compliance and privacy is built in by design.
The new feature was introduced because, while databases change over time, the nature of the data within them is fairly consistent.
“Once you’ve established which data needs to be masked and how, that won’t change unless you introduce a new subset of data, or make a major change to the database structure,” said Richard Macaskill, Redgate Product Manager. “So the requirement to be compliant with the GDPR actually brings with it the opportunity to introduce consistency and repeatability into the database provisioning process. And that, in turn, meets the demand to be auditable.”
The development team behind SQL Provision is now looking into aligning SQL Clone and Data Masker yet further to make the provisioning and masking of SQL Server databases even easier.
For more information about this update, visit www.red-gate.com.