HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: MODERN TECHNIQUES FOR PII PROTECTION

Abstract: In the modern digital economy, organizations increasingly rely on Business-to-Business (B2B) platforms to process and exchange large volumes of sensitive user information. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as phone numbers, email addresses, identity numbers, and financial records forms the backbone of many digital services. However, the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and data breaches has exposed the limitations of traditional security approaches that rely primarily on network perimeters and access control mechanisms. Once attackers bypass these defenses, sensitive information stored in databases becomes vulnerable.

Modern data protection strategies therefore emphasize encryption-based security, where the data itself remains protected even if unauthorized access occurs. This research investigates advanced encryption mechanisms designed specifically for B2B systems that must balance security, usability, and performance. The study focuses on techniques such as Format- Preserving Encryption (FPE), Searchable Symmetric Encryption (SSE), and Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), which allow organizations to store and process encrypted data without disrupting existing system architectures.

Keywords: PII Encryption, Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE), Searchable Symmetric Encryption (SSE), B2B Data Security, DPDP Act 2025, Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs).