In which scenarios can Data Masking be applied?

Data Masking is a technique used to protect sensitive information by replacing it with anonymized data in such a way that the original data cannot be easily reconstructed. The correct application of Data Masking often involves scenarios where data privacy is critical, such as in databases where sensitive information needs to be modified for testing, development, or reporting without exposing real data.

In the context of the options provided, the scenario of "Oracle data masked in place" is a valid application of Data Masking because it involves directly manipulating the sensitive data within an Oracle database while still maintaining the integrity of the data structure. This allows for the protection of information without needing to export it elsewhere, making it an effective and secure approach to manage sensitive data directly in its operational environment.

On the other hand, while other options may mention data handling and processing, they either do not specifically relate to the practice of Data Masking, particularly in the context of application to sensitive information, or they do not ensure appropriate security measures for personal data. For instance, masking files on local systems could refer to various non-specific file management activities that do not imply Data Masking practices. Similarly, direct file downloads from cloud platforms like Salesforce do not often include in-place masking, as they are primarily concerned