Report Generation System with Confidential Data Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reporting systems lack rigorous confidentiality constraints, failing to protect sensitive data when combining information from different sources, which poses a risk of disclosing confidential information.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable medium with executable instructions that receives a query, applies confidentiality criteria based on rules, and produces masked confidential data, incorporating a rules engine for pre- and post-processing, role-based security, and secure encryption to ensure data protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data from multiple sources is combined to create comprehensive reports, then the information value and completeness of reports is improved, but the risk of disclosing confidential information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into different confidentiality levels and applies separate handling rules to each segment. Data from multiple sources is divided into confidential and non-confidential portions, with confidential data being masked or suppressed while non-confidential data is freely combined in reports. This allows comprehensive reporting on non-sensitive aspects while protecting sensitive information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between data sources and report generation that automatically identifies and masks confidential information. This intermediary applies confidentiality rules, detects sensitive data patterns, and suppresses or anonymizes confidential portions before data is combined into final reports, enabling safe data integration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If confidentiality rules are applied to mask sensitive data, then data protection is improved, but the utility and interpretability of reports deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively masking only the specific portions of data that are confidential while leaving non-confidential data visible and intact. Instead of masking entire records or fields universally, the system identifies and masks only the sensitive portions (such as specific personal identifiers or confidential values) while preserving the overall report structure and non-sensitive information for full utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by masking only the necessary confidential portions rather than applying blanket suppression to all data. The system identifies the minimum necessary data elements that require protection and masks only those, leaving the rest of the report fully functional and interpretable, thus avoiding excessive masking that would reduce report utility.
3Productivity
If automatic data retrieval from external sources is implemented, then report generation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing confidentiality constraints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the report generation system to automatically identify, classify, and mask confidential data without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously retrieves data from external sources, applies confidentiality rules, detects sensitive information patterns, and masks appropriate portions automatically, making the confidentiality management process self-contained and eliminating the need for complex manual oversight mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to receive a query, receive information about the identity of the query requester, send the query to at least one data source, receive data from the at least one data source, and apply confidentiality criteria to the data based on a set of rules to produce masked confidential data. The masked confidential data is returned in a report in response to the query.