Mask PAN (Permanent Account Number) in DB2

Masking PAN (Permanent Account Number) in DB2 can be done using string manipulation functions. Below is an example of how to implement this:

SELECT 

    CASE 

        WHEN LENGTH(pan_number) = 16 THEN CONCAT('XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-', RIGHT(pan_number, 4))

        WHEN LENGTH(pan_number) = 15 THEN CONCAT('XXXX-XXXXXX-', RIGHT(pan_number, 1))

        ELSE 'Invalid PAN Number'

    END AS masked_pan_number

FROM your_table;

This query masks PAN numbers based on their length.

Example:

Let's say the original PAN number is '1234567890123456':

SELECT 

    CASE 

        WHEN LENGTH('1234567890123456') = 16 THEN CONCAT('XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-', RIGHT('1234567890123456', 4))

        WHEN LENGTH('1234567890123456') = 15 THEN CONCAT('XXXX-XXXXXX-', RIGHT('1234567890123456', 1))

        ELSE 'Invalid PAN Number'

    END AS masked_pan_number;

The result would be XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-3456.

Here are few FAQs:-

1. Why should PAN numbers be masked in a database?

   - PAN numbers are sensitive information and should be protected to prevent unauthorized access and identity theft.

2. Can the original PAN number be retrieved from the masked version?

   - Ideally, the masking process should be irreversible to maintain data security. Therefore, the original PAN number should not be easily retrievable from the masked version.

3. How can I ensure that masked PAN numbers remain usable for certain operations?

   - By retaining some part of the original PAN number, such as the last few digits, you can maintain the usability of the data for operations like identification or verification while still protecting sensitive information.

4. Are there any legal requirements for masking PAN numbers?

   - Yes, various regulations such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) mandate the protection of sensitive cardholder data, including PAN numbers. Masking PAN numbers helps organizations comply with these regulations.

5. Can I customize the masking format for PAN numbers?

   - Yes, you can customize the masking format according to your requirements. The provided query can be modified to accommodate different masking formats or variations in PAN number structures.