Which process is used to replace sensitive information with fictional values to hide its original form?

The correct answer is data masking. This process involves replacing sensitive information with fictional but realistic values in order to protect the original data while maintaining its utility for tasks such as testing or analysis. Data masking ensures that the sensitive data is not exposed or accessible during processes that do not require the actual data, thereby minimizing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.

Data masking can help businesses comply with various regulations regarding data protection, allowing them to work with datasets while ensuring that sensitive information, such as personal identifiers or confidential business data, remains secure. This method can maintain data integrity for functions such as software development, user training, or quality assurance without compromising the original values.

In contrast, anonymization involves removing or altering personal information such that individuals cannot be identified, but it may not always retain the data's context and can be irreversible. Data scrubbing typically refers to the process of cleaning up data by correcting or removing inaccurate, incomplete, or irrelevant data, rather than specifically replacing sensitive information. Reidentification is the process of linking anonymized data back to individuals, which contradicts the goal of protecting sensitive information.