Masking Mobile number in Oracle

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

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

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

SELECT 

    CASE 

        WHEN LENGTH(mobile_number) >= 10 THEN

            RPAD(SUBSTR(mobile_number, 1, LENGTH(mobile_number) - 4), LENGTH(mobile_number), '*')

        ELSE 

            mobile_number 

    END AS masked_mobile_number

FROM 

    your_table;

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

Remember to test your masking logic thoroughly to ensure that it appropriately anonymizes the mobile numbers while preserving their usability for analysis or reporting purposes.

Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) about masking mobile numbers in Oracle:

1. Can I mask mobile numbers directly in the database without affecting the original data?

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

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

   - Answer: It's common to replace part of the mobile 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 area codes?

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

4. Are there any performance considerations when masking large volumes of mobile 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.