How does Data Masking contribute to data security in Workday?

Data masking is a critical technique used to protect sensitive information in environments like Workday. By obfuscating or concealing sensitive data in reports and analytics, data masking ensures that even if information is accessed by users who do not have authorization to view the actual data, the sensitive details remain protected. This means that personal identification information, financial details, or any other sensitive data can still be used for analysis and reporting purposes without exposing the actual values.

For instance, instead of showing a real Social Security number or salary, a masked version would be presented, thus maintaining the integrity of the data for necessary business functions while ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting user privacy. This method is particularly important in scenarios where sensitive data could otherwise be exposed through reports that are shared across teams or departments.