Which aspect of cybersecurity does the term "data masking" primarily address?

Data masking primarily addresses data protection, which is a critical aspect of cybersecurity. This technique involves obscuring specific data within a database or application to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or exposure while still allowing for the use of the data in non-sensitive environments.

For instance, in scenarios where data needs to be shared for software testing or training purposes, data masking allows organizations to utilize realistic data without revealing actual values. This helps maintain privacy and complies with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, which govern the management of sensitive personal information.

While other aspects such as network security, system performance, and user interface design play significant roles in the broader cybersecurity framework, they do not focus specifically on the protection of data at rest or in transit like data masking does. By transforming sensitive data into a format that prevents its disclosure, organizations can mitigate risk while still leveraging data for operational purposes.