What is a possible consequence of not applying data masking policies?

Not applying data masking policies can directly lead to the leakage of sensitive information. Data masking serves as a protective measure that obscures specific data within a database, ensuring that unauthorized users do not have access to sensitive or personally identifiable information. If such policies are not enforced, individuals who gain access to the database, whether through malicious intent or unintentional means, could view unmasked, sensitive data, thereby exposing the organization to data breaches and potential regulatory violations.

In contrast, the other choices incorrectly imply that not applying data masking has no negative consequences, suggesting that all data would remain secure or automatically encrypted. Additionally, the idea that auditing would become unnecessary fails to recognize that data security practices, including auditing, are crucial for monitoring compliance and detecting vulnerabilities, regardless of whether data masking is in place. Proper data protection measures, including data masking, are essential to maintaining data integrity and security, especially in industries that handle sensitive information.