Prevent Sensitive Data Exposure with Real-Time Data Masking in the Mammoth Enterprise Browser
By Peter Lunk
In today’s enterprises, legacy applications often present a significant challenge when it comes to protecting sensitive information. These systems, while critical to operations, frequently lack the granularity to restrict sensitive data to authorized users. Instead, sensitive information is displayed to anyone with access to the application. Older web applications are often not designed to dynamically hide or mask certain information based on user roles. This creates serious risks, particularly in areas like customer service support, where staff may see full customer Social Security Numbers (SSNs), 16-digit credit card numbers, or other identifying information unnecessarily. This exposure can lead to compliance issues, breaches, or misuse.
The Obvious Solution: Rewriting the Software
One way to address this issue is to rewrite the legacy software so that it only displays sensitive data to users with the appropriate permissions. However, this approach has substantial downsides. The high cost of developers, project management overhead, and operational risks associated with testing and deploying new software make it impractical for many organizations. Depending on the complexity of the application, the process could take months or even years to complete. Given these challenges, many organizations delay or forgo implementing proper access controls, leaving sensitive data exposed.
The Shortcomings of Traditional DLP and Browser Extensions
In situations where rewriting the application is not practical, organizations often turn to existing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions or browser extensions to address the issue. Traditional DLP solutions primarily focus on protecting files and lack the ability to evaluate whether data displayed in a browser window is appropriate for a specific user.
Similarly, browser extensions modify the display layer superficially but often fail to work in real-time, leading to sensitive data being briefly exposed before masking occurs. This creates a false sense of security and leaves organizations vulnerable to accidental exposure or malicious misuse.
Mammoth’s Robust Data Masking Technology
The Mammoth Enterprise Browser takes a different approach to data masking by addressing the problem in the browser itself. Unlike extensions that operate on the display layer without real-time precision, Mammoth integrates data masking capabilities directly into the browser core. Sensitive data is identified and masked as it is rendered, ensuring no unauthorized user sees unprotected information. The process is instantaneous and preserves usability. Additionally, Mammoth’s technology dynamically adjusts what is displayed based on the user’s role and permissions, maintaining strict access controls and reducing the risk of data leakage.
A Better Approach: The Mammoth Enterprise Browser
The Mammoth Enterprise Browser offers a transformative solution to this problem. Rather than rewriting the software, Mammoth overlays a powerful set of access controls directly at the browser level. Sensitive information is intelligently redacted in real-time, ensuring users only see data they are permitted to access. This approach eliminates the need for code modifications, saving time and expense. The browser can be deployed quickly across the enterprise, delivering immediate security improvements without disrupting existing workflows.
Protecting sensitive information in legacy applications doesn’t have to mean a costly and time-consuming rewrite. The Mammoth Enterprise Browser offers a smarter, faster, and more effective way to safeguard company and customer data, providing peace of mind without disrupting company operations.