Tokenization: data security without loss of functionality
In an increasingly data-driven world, a key challenge for companies is how to protect sensitive information without compromising the usability of data in cloud applications or existing IT systems. Tokenization provides an answer to this question.
This method makes it possible to effectively protect personal or sensitive data while retaining its original data format. In conjunction with the eperi sEcure solution, tokenization offers a powerful way of reconciling data protection and functionality.
What is tokenization?
With traditional encryption, readable data (e.g. names, addresses or credit card numbers) is used to generate encrypted character strings, which are usually significantly longer or in a different format. This means that many IT systems can no longer handle these encrypted values.
Tokenization, on the other hand, ensures that the encrypted data retains the same structure and length as the original data. This means that formats such as telephone numbers, social security numbers or credit card data remain formally valid even after encryption and can continue to be processed by applications.
In contrast, format-preserving encryption, or homomorphic encryption, also provides format-compliant replacement values, but these methods are not yet fully developed and therefore do not meet the security and performance requirements needed in practical use.
Why is it so important to keep the format?
Many applications rely on a specific data format. If this format is changed by encryption, this can lead to errors, for example in validation rules, database queries or integrations with other systems.
Tokenization ensures that:
- existing applications can continue to be used without adaptation,
- security requirements such as GDPR, DORA; NIS-2 or HIPAA are met,
- data remains protected during operation,
- analyses, queries and reports are also possible on encrypted data.
Especially in heterogeneous IT landscapes or cloud migrations, tokenization offers a major advantage: companies do not have to convert their existing systems to ensure data protection and compliance.
In addition, when generating test data in particular, it is essential to generate data of the same length and formatting in order to carry out tests with the data as realistically as possible without illegally accessing productive data.
How does tokenization actually work?
Let's take the example of a German customer number with the following format: KND-1234567.
A classic encryption would produce a long, unreadable character string such as A4F7z31#9!xL... would be generated. This could lead to validation errors in an ERP or CRM system.
With tokenization, KND-1234567 becomes KND-7483921, for example - the value is masked, but the format remains intact. The system continues to accept the entry even though the content is unreadable for unauthorized persons.
Tokenization with eperi sEcure
The eperi sEcure solution supports tokenization as a central feature. This allows companies to protect their sensitive data in Microsoft 365, Salesforce and other cloud or on-premises applications without losing functionality or performance.
Benefits of eperi sEcure with tokenization:
- Seamless integration into existing systems
- No code adaptations necessary
- Secure key management in the company
- Support for regulatory requirements (GDPR, DORA, NIS-2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
- Complies with the state of the art (https://www.teletrust.de/publikationen/broschueren/stand-der-technik/)
Conclusion: security and usability need not be a contradiction in terms
If you want to process sensitive data in modern IT landscapes, you need solutions that combine data protection and practicality.
With its tokenization, eperi sEcure offers a secure, flexible and tried-and-tested way to protect your company data - with full system compatibility.
Find out more about how tokenization with eperi sEcure can strengthen your security strategy. Request your individual demo!
Knowledge that protects - your next measure for more data security
On our download page you will find free white papers and factsheets on data protection, data encryption and compliance - especially for IT managers and decision-makers.
Get compact knowledge, strategic recommendations and practical tips to effectively protect your data and securely comply with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS2 and DORA.
