Manage Columns

Connecting a Snowflake column to ALTR brings it under ALTR’s management, so it can carry a masking policy. Column connections always use an external-function protection type (default masking, tokenization, or FPE) and never native masking — see Data Masking on Snowflake for how each protection type is enforced.

Connect a Column

To connect a Snowflake column:

1. Select Data Configuration > Data Management > Columns in the navigation menu.
2. Click Connect Column.
3. Select the Database, Schema, and Table containing the column.
4. Select the Column to connect.
5. Select a Protection Type — default masking, tokenization, or Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE).
6. Click Connect.

Note

Native masking (pushdown) is available for tag connections only — see Manage Tags and Native vs. External-Function Masking.

Check Column Connection Status

To check a column’s connection status:

1. Select Data Configuration > Data Management > Columns in the navigation menu.
2. Locate the column in the list and review its Status column.

Disconnect a Column

Disconnecting a column removes ALTR’s masking policy and any associated external functions or user-defined functions (UDFs) from the column in Snowflake.

To disconnect a column:

1. Select Data Configuration > Data Management > Columns in the navigation menu.
2. Select the column to disconnect.
3. Click Disconnect.

Caution

Disconnecting a column removes any masking policy enforcing it. Roles that previously saw a masked value may see plaintext until a new connection or policy is in place.