What is an acceptable truncation format for MasterCard PANs?

An acceptable truncation format for MasterCard Primary Account Numbers (PANs) requires keeping a specific portion of the number visible while securely truncating the rest. The correct format retains the first 6 digits and allows any remaining 4 digits to be visible. This ensures that a portion of the card number is displayed for reference purposes, while still protecting sensitive information to minimize risk of fraud.

Retaining the first 6 digits reveals enough information to identify the card issuer and the card type, while the truncation of the subsequent digits minimizes the likelihood of the card being compromised. This level of truncation balances the need for usability in business operations with essential security practices.

The other choices suggest formats that either do not meet the security standards for handling PANs or provide too much information, which could expose the cardholder to unnecessary risks. For example, not removing any digits at all fails to protect sensitive details, while removing fewer than 6 from the beginning does not align with Mastercard's guidelines for proper card data handling.