What does tokenization replace?

Tokenization is a data security process that involves replacing sensitive data with unique identifiers, known as tokens, while maintaining the same format. This means that the original sensitive data is replaced with fake data that can be used in its place, allowing systems to continue functioning without exposing sensitive information.

By using tokenization, organizations can protect sensitive data such as credit card numbers or personal identification information. The token retains the original data format, which is important for compatibility with various systems and processes that need to handle data securely without altering entire database structures or application workflows.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core purpose of tokenization. For instance, replacing sensitive data with encrypted data involves a different security approach known as encryption, which protects the data by transforming it into a format that is unreadable without the proper decryption key, rather than swapping it for a non-sensitive equivalent. Similarly, summarizing logs or replacing all data with non-sensitive equivalents doesn't align with the specific function or objective of tokenization, which focuses on disguising sensitive data while allowing the original structure to be intact.