Tokenization

Tokenization is the process of replacing some piece of sensitive data with a value that is not considered sensitive in the context of the environment that consumes the token and the original sensitive data. Tokenization can be used to protect cardholder data by eliminating the need to store it on a merchant's system and so aids compliance with the Payment Card Industry's Data Security Standard. Format-preserving tokenization creates a token that looks like a card number so a merchant’s existing systems and databases can use and accommodate the value without requiring modification.