Which of the following methods to secure credit card data is best to use when a requirement is to see only the last four numbers on a credit card?

Which of the following methods to secure credit card data is best to use when a requirement is to see only the last four numbers on a credit card?
A . Encryption
B . Hashing
C . Masking
D . Tokenization

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

Masking is a method to secure credit card data that involves replacing some or all of the digits with symbols, such as asterisks, dashes, or Xs, while leaving some of the original digits visible. Masking is best to use when a requirement is to see only the last four numbers on a credit card, as it can prevent unauthorized access to the full card number, while still allowing identification and verification of the cardholder. Masking does not alter the original data, unlike encryption, hashing, or tokenization, which use algorithms to transform the data into different formats.

Reference: CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: Exam SY0-701, 9th Edition, Chapter 2: Compliance and Operational Security, page 721. CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-701, 7th Edition, Chapter 2: Compliance and Operational Security, page 722.