Mask PAN NUMBER in Oracle

Masking PAN (Permanent Account Number) numbers in Oracle involves replacing part of the digits with asterisks (*) or other characters while retaining the format. Here's a general approach to mask PAN numbers in Oracle:

1. Identify the PAN Number Column: Determine which column in your table stores PAN numbers.

2. Define the Masking Logic: Decide on the masking logic, such as how many digits to mask and where to start masking from.

3. Use SQL Functions to Apply Masking: Use SQL functions such as `SUBSTR` and `RPAD` to apply the masking logic to the PAN numbers.

Here's an example of how you can mask PAN numbers by replacing all digits except the first four and last two with asterisks:

SELECT 

    CASE 

        WHEN LENGTH(pan_number) >= 10 THEN

            RPAD(SUBSTR(pan_number, 1, 4), LENGTH(pan_number) - 2, '*') || SUBSTR(pan_number, -2)

        ELSE 

            pan_number 

    END AS masked_pan_number

FROM 

    your_table;

In this example, `your_table` is the name of your table, and `pan_number` is the column containing the PAN numbers. This query will replace all digits in the PAN number except the first four and last two with asterisks. Adjust the logic as needed based on your specific requirements.

Here are some FAQs:-

1. Can I mask PAN numbers directly in the database without altering the original data?

   - Answer: Yes, you can use SQL queries to mask PAN numbers by creating a new column or selecting masked values without altering the original data.

2. What is the recommended approach for masking PAN numbers while preserving their format?

   - Answer: It's common to replace part of the PAN number with asterisks (*) while retaining the original format. This maintains data usability while protecting sensitive information.

3. How can I adjust the masking logic to meet specific requirements, such as masking only certain digits or preserving the PAN's structure?

   - Answer: You can customize the masking logic using SQL functions like `SUBSTR` and `RPAD` to target specific parts of the PAN number for masking while preserving others.

4. Are there any performance considerations when masking large volumes of PAN numbers in Oracle?

   - Answer: Depending on the size of your dataset, applying masking logic within SQL queries may impact performance. It's essential to test the performance and optimize queries if necessary.

5. Can I automate the masking process to ensure consistent application across multiple datasets or tables?

   - Answer: Yes, you can automate the masking process using stored procedures, scripts, or ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes to apply consistent masking logic across various datasets or tables.