CompTIA Data+ (DA0-001) — Question 326
An analyst is working with a data set that contains information regarding refugee status, income, identification numbers, place of residence, and employment status. The analyst needs to randomize placeholders for all the variables in a data set so that the information is useless in the event of a breach but is still useful in producing the necessary reports. Which of the following functions is the analyst performing?
Answer options
- A. Data encoding
- B. Data masking
- C. Data recoding
- D. Data formatting
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Data masking, as it involves obscuring specific data within a dataset to protect sensitive information while maintaining its utility for analysis. The other options do not provide the same level of protection for sensitive information; data encoding alters data format, data recoding changes data values, and data formatting adjusts the presentation of data without securing it.