sanattr

Sanattr is a term used in information management to denote a metadata label attached to data attributes indicating that the values have undergone sanitization to reduce privacy risk. The concept is intended to support data governance, compliance, and secure data sharing by signaling the trust level or handling requirements of each attribute.

Definition and scope: Sanattr refers to metadata that accompanies data attributes where the values have been transformed to remove or obscure sensitive content. Sanitation methods can include redaction, masking, tokenization, hashing, generalization, or other format-preserving transformations. Sanattr is not a direct synonym for anonymization or pseudonymization, but rather a descriptive annotation that helps downstream processes decide how to treat the attribute.

Implementation and usage: In practice, sanattr can be represented as a metadata field in data catalogs, as a tag within schemas, or as part of API contracts. Common components of a sanattr record might include status (sanitized vs. unsanitized), method (redaction, masking, hashing, tokenization, generalization), severity level, and provenance (processor name, date). It is often used in conjunction with data lineage, access controls, and policy enforcement to guide data handling decisions.

Limitations and scope: Because sanattr lacks a universally adopted formal standard, interpretations and implementations vary between organizations. It is typically most effective when embedded within a broader data governance framework rather than relied upon as a standalone mechanism.

See also: Data masking, Data anonymization, Data governance, Metadata, Privacy engineering.