Data Masking Template Management
XLServer provides a Data Masking module to anonymize or obfuscate sensitive data when creating database clones.
This module is powered by data masking templates.
By default, XLServer ships with several predefined system data masking templates.
From these templates, you can create and attach masking rules to live databases.
When a live database has data masking rules defined, all clones created from it will have sensitive data masked automatically.
System Data Masking Templates
The following system templates are provided out of the box.
| Datamasking Template Name | Description |
|---|---|
| CONSTANT_DATE | Constant Date |
| CONSTANT_NUMBER | Constant Number |
| CONSTANT_STRING | Constant String |
| RANDOM_DATE | Random Date |
| RANDOM_NUMBER | Random Number |
| RANDOM_STRING | Random String |
| RANDOM_STRING_FROM_LIST | Random String from a predefined list |
| SHUFFLING_SET | Shuffling subset of columns |
| SYSDATE | Current date |
| UNSET_VALUE | Unset Value |
ℹ️ Note
These templates are generic for all supported database vendors.
They cannot be changed or deleted.
List All Data Masking Templates
To view all existing data masking templates:
- Navigate to System > Data Masking Templates
Both system and user-defined templates will be listed.
Create Custom Data Masking Template
To create a custom template:
- Click on the button CREATE CUSTOM DATAMASKING TEMPLATE.
- The New Database Masking Template page will appear.
- Fill in the template details:
- Name – name of the template
- Description – short description
- Domain – choose from String, Number, or Date
- Template Expression – define the substitution logic.
- You can use column names enclosed in brackets.
Example (for Oracle database):
[columnName] / ROUND(DBMS_RANDOM.VALUE(1, 3))
For a column like salary, this expression divides the real salary by a random number between 1 and 3.
- Click VALIDATE to check the expression, then confirm to create the template.
⚠️ Important
Always validate expressions before saving.
A faulty expression will not only cause the masking job to fail, but may also cause the entire clone creation to fail.
Delete Data Masking Template
To delete a data masking template:
- Click on the trash icon next to the template.
- Click OK to confirm, or CANCEL to abort.
ℹ️ Notes
- System templates cannot be deleted.
- A custom template can only be deleted if it is not attached to a live database.