What measures can be taken to ensure that PAN is unreadable when stored?

Using one-way hashes and strong cryptography is an effective measure to ensure that Primary Account Number (PAN) is unreadable when stored. One-way hashing transforms the PAN into a fixed-length string of characters, making it difficult or infeasible to reverse-engineer the original number. Strong cryptography adds an additional layer of protection by encrypting the data, ensuring that even if an unauthorized party accesses the stored data, they cannot easily interpret it without the appropriate keys or credentials.

This approach aligns with industry best practices, particularly in contexts like payment card security outlined in frameworks such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Strong cryptographic methods help guarantee that sensitive information remains secure, even in the event of a data breach, thereby reducing the risk of fraud and identity theft.

In contrast, storing PAN in plain text or employing simple passwords does not effectively secure the data, as it can easily be accessed or deciphered by unauthorized individuals. Allowing access to all employees further compromises security, as this unnecessarily increases the risk of exposure to sensitive information. Therefore, the use of one-way hashes and strong cryptography is essential for protecting PANs when stored.