What is meant by "sanitization" in information security?

Sanitization in information security refers to the process of removing sensitive information from a dataset before it is made publicly available or shared with unauthorized parties. This practice is crucial for protecting confidential data and maintaining privacy. By effectively sanitizing data, organizations can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and minimizing the risk of data breaches.

The concept encompasses various techniques tailored to the type of information being handled. For instance, this might involve redacting specific details, aggregating data to prevent identification of individuals, or using data masking technologies. The primary goal is to ensure that any information released does not compromise the security of individuals or the organization itself.

The other choices do not align with the definition of sanitization. Ensuring information is easily accessible does not address sensitive content; the removal of outdated information is more related to data management practices rather than security; and enhancing security measures, while important, involves different processes that do not specifically pertain to the sanitization of data before release.