Question

Which configuration file and stanza pair will mask possible SSNs in the log events?

1) [mask-SSN] REX = (?ms)^(.) <[SSN> d3-? d2-?( d4.*)" FORMAT =1###-##-2 KEY = _raw
2) [mask-SSN] REGEX = (?ms)^(.) <[SSN> d3-? d2-?( d4.*)" FORMAT = 1###-##-2 DEST_KEY = _raw
3) [mask-SSN] REX = (?ms)^(.) <[SSN> d3-? d2-?( d4.*)" FORMAT =1###-##-2 DEST_KEY = _raw
4) [mask-SSN] REGEX = (?ms)^(.) <[SSN> d3-? d2-?( d4.*)" FORMAT = 1###-##-2 DEST_KEY = _raw

Answer 1

The correct configuration file and stanza pair for masking SSNs in log events is the fourth option with the REGEX directive to match SSNs, a FORMAT directive for masking, and the DEST_KEY set to _raw.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves configuring a file to mask Social Security Numbers (SSNs) in log events, which is a common task in data security and privacy. The correct configuration file and stanza pair for masking SSNs should include a regular expression (REGEX) to identify the SSNs, a FORMAT clause to specify the masking pattern and a DEST_KEY to define where the transformed data should be stored. Among the options provided, the correct one is:

• Option 4) [mask-SSN]
  REGEX = (?ms)^(.*)\\d{3}-?\d{2}-?\d{4}.*"
  FORMAT = 1###-##-####
  DEST_KEY = _raw

This option is the correct one because it includes the REGEX directive for matching the SSN pattern, correctly uses the FORMAT directive to replace the SSN with a masked version, and sets the DEST_KEY to _raw, which indicates where the transformed data should be placed. The REGEX used here is looking to match a pattern that would resemble an SSN, with or without dashes, and then the FORMAT replaces this with a masked version '1###-##-####', which keeps the data format similar but obscures the actual numbers.