Purpose:

• Data Masking: Obfuscates data to protect sensitive information in non-production environments.
• Encryption: Protects data by converting it into an unreadable format to ensure confidentiality and security.

Operation:

• Data Masking: Alters the appearance of data but leaves the original data intact.
• Encryption: Transforms data into ciphertext, requiring decryption to access the original data.

Access:

• Data Masking: Original data is still available in the production environment.
• Encryption: Original data is protected and requires decryption to access.

Usage:

• Data Masking: Used primarily for non-production environments.
• Encryption: Used for securing data both in transit and at rest.