Automate the detection and masking of personal data in text and images
When processing log files or medical images that contain customer names or card numbers, you can automatically find and mask sensitive parts without manual review. Presidio is an open-source framework that detects and anonymizes personally identifiable information (PII) in text and images. A notice at the top of the README indicates that the project has recently moved to a new governance structure.
Structure for handling text and images
Presidio processes data in two forms: text and images. In text, it identifies various types of sensitive information, including names, locations, Social Security numbers, Bitcoin wallet addresses, US phone numbers, and financial data. For images, it supports standard image formats and DICOM medical images, providing a module to mask PII in text contained within images. These features are designed to work in various environments, including Python, PySpark workloads, Docker, and Kubernetes.
Detection methods and customization
The tool finds PII using predefined or custom recognizers. It combines multiple methods, such as Named Entity Recognition (NER), regular expressions, rule-based logic, and checksum validation, to identify context-appropriate information. It supports multiple languages and offers an option to connect to external PII detection models. You can freely adjust the detection and anonymization processes to meet specific business requirements of your organization.
Installation and execution
You can install Presidio via pip, use a Docker image, or build it from source. A guide for migrating from V1 to V2 is also provided. Step-by-step usage examples, from setting up the development environment to anonymizing PII in text and images, are available to help you get started quickly.
Limitations of automation and complementary measures
Therefore, this tool alone may be insufficient, and you should use it alongside additional systems and safeguards. To comply with your organization's privacy policies, it is recommended to establish a process for final verification of Presidio's results. Additionally, because the project is transitioning to a new governance structure, you should periodically check for the latest documentation and updates.