A central database system allows users to access and use data stored in a relational database. In order to ensure that the stored data is not detrimentally impacted and that the security of the stored data is maintained, the central database system generates a sanitized copy of the database. The central database system stores and accesses annotation files associated with data tables of the database and a schema identifying the structure of the database. Based on the schema, for each data table, the central database system validates the annotation file. A copy of the data table is created and sanitized corresponding to the annotation file. The sanitized copies of the data tables are used to generate a sanitized copy of the database. The sanitized copy of the database may then be accessed and used by users of the central database system without impacting the relational database.