Mask PAN (Permanent Account Number) in MariaDB

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

CREATE FUNCTION MaskPAN(panNumber VARCHAR(20)) RETURNS VARCHAR(20)

BEGIN

    DECLARE maskedPAN VARCHAR(20);

    

    IF LENGTH(panNumber) = 16 THEN

        SET maskedPAN = CONCAT('XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-', RIGHT(panNumber, 4));

    ELSEIF LENGTH(panNumber) = 15 THEN

        SET maskedPAN = CONCAT('XXXX-XXXXXX-X', RIGHT(panNumber, 1));

    ELSE

        SET maskedPAN = 'Invalid PAN Number';

    END IF;

    RETURN maskedPAN;

END;

Usage:

SELECT MaskPAN('1234 5678 9012 3456') AS MaskedPAN;

This will output XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-3456.

Here are few FAQs:-

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

   - PAN numbers are sensitive information that, if exposed, can lead to identity theft or financial fraud. Masking them helps protect individuals' financial data and ensures privacy.

2. Is it necessary to mask PAN numbers even in a secure database environment?

   - Yes, masking PAN numbers is crucial even in a secure database environment. It adds an extra layer of security and reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive financial information.

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

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

4. Are there any legal or compliance 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 function can be modified to accommodate different formatting preferences or variations in PAN number structures.