Data Masking is a technique used to protect sensitive information by replacing it with fictional but realistic data. This process ensures that the original data remains confidential while still allowing users to work with a version that resembles the real data. For example, a company might mask customer names and social security numbers in a database so that employees can analyze trends without exposing personal information. The primary goal of Data Masking is to maintain privacy and security, especially in industries like finance and healthcare, where sensitive data is prevalent. By using masked data, organizations can comply with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, ensuring that they protect their customers' information while still gaining valuable insights from their data.