Best Database Security Solutions

Database security tools provide specific protection for databases. There are specialized tools to protect databases in the cloud, on premises or in hybrid environments. Proper database security is required to ensure compliance with data regulations.

Some common methods for securing databases include:

• Access control to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the database.
• Physical security to protect database servers from intruders.
• Monitoring and auditing databases for vulnerabilities.
• Antivirus and anti-malware protection.
• Protection against SQL injection.
• Data encryption.

Data breaches can be catastrophic for organizations, especially in regulated industries where you need to keep your data under strict compliance rules. Attacks can come in many forms, and it is best to be prepared for any type of attack, be it physical or digital. Let’s review some practices to keep your database secure.

1. Use a database proxy.

A database proxy is a gateway residing between your applications and the database. The proxy filters and then accepts or blocks connection requests from applications. After accepting the request from the application, it connects with the database on its behalf. This enables the proxy to protect the database from unauthorized requests. 

2. Have physical database security in place.

Don’t think that criminals will only attack your database by digital means. If a cybercriminal gets physical access to your database server, they can cause serious harm by stealing the data, corrupting it, or inserting harmful malware. So, when choosing a data center or a web hosting service, make sure your company has physical security measures in place to protect the servers. 

3. Keep data separated.

Data requires specific security measures to keep it safe from attacks. One of these is keeping it separated from other workloads to prevent attackers from gaining access to your data. Let’s say you have an e-commerce website and keep your site data and sensitive transactional data all on the same server. If an attacker breaches your server, they may easily access and steal or corrupt your data. 

4. Use real-time database monitoring.

Actively scanning your database for breach attempts boosts your chances of catching an attack before it becomes a serious problem. Database security solutions usually come with proactive monitoring. 

5. Don’t use default network ports.

Cybercriminals often use default ports in brute force attacks because they are easily accessible. If you are not using the default port, the attacker needs to try a different one, which may stall them or discourage them. 

6. Encrypt all the data everywhere.

Encrypting the data is not only useful to keep it safe from prying eyes. You need also to ensure that no unauthorized user can read your data while it is in transit or at rest. Strong encryption protocols ensure the data is scrambled at all times, which prevents cybercriminals from reading it if they get hold of it. 

  7. Use database and web application firewalls.

A firewall is the first line of defense against malicious attacks. Deploying a firewall around your database can help you keep your data secure. There are three main types of firewalls used to protect a database:

• Packet filter firewall
• Stateful packet inspection (SPI)
• Proxy server firewall

8. Keep user access limited.

Most data breaches are caused by compromised passwords. Employ strong authentication processes like multi-factor authentication. Also, consider using a role access control function. It is critical that you manage identity and access permissions and privileges.

Some tips that may help:

• Use a strong-password generator.
• Allow root access only to local and authorized clients.
• Restrict the number of IP addresses that can access the database server.
• Keep a separate database user account for each of the applications.

Maintaining database security requires keeping multiple security controls. Let’s explore key features that you should look for in database security:

• System monitoring and hardening: A strong underlying database architecture provides a base for the database management system (DBMS). It is important that the systems are patched regularly
• Database management system (DBMS) configuration: One of the key requirements for strong database security is that the DBMS be properly configured and hardened. Misconfigurations caused by the lack of control processes help ensure a consistent configuration.
• Secure access: Access control features limit which users and roles have permission to access the database. Secure access includes designing and granting attributes, roles, and privileges.
• Authentication: Part of database security measures includes verifying whether the user’s credentials match the ones stored in the database. The system controls only allow authorized users to access the database.
• Automated backups: An efficient database security system usually leverages automation to create regular backups. The backup is key for disaster recovery processes resulting from hardware failures, data corruption, or cybersecurity attacks.
• Auditing: This feature helps to detect unauthorized access to the DBMS, thus giving visibility and control over the database.
• Encryption: An effective database security solution should include advanced encryption of data both in transit and at rest.
• Application security: When database security framework measures are in place, they protect against common attacks that can bypass access controls. (For example, SQL injection.)

Encryption transforms data into a secure format that is unreadable to unauthorized users. By encrypting sensitive information both at rest and in transit, you ensure that even if data is intercepted, it remains protected. Implementing strong encryption protocols and regularly updating encryption keys are crucial steps in safeguarding your databases. This enhances data confidentiality and compliance with regulations.

Database auditing involves tracking and logging database activities to monitor access, changes, and anomalies. By implementing an effective auditing process, you can detect unauthorized access attempts, data manipulations, and potential security breaches. Regular auditing helps in maintaining data integrity and can be key in forensic analysis if a security incident occurs. It is essential for compliance with data protection laws.

Access control defines who can access and manipulate database resources by setting permissions and restrictions. By ensuring only authorized users have access to sensitive data, you minimize the risk of data breaches. Implementing strong authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication, and regularly updating user access rights help in preventing unauthorized access and enhancing database protection.

Firewalls act as a barrier between your database servers and potential threats from external networks. They filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules, which can block malicious data packets from reaching your databases. By regularly updating firewall rules and settings, you can prevent unauthorized access attempts and safeguard your databases from potential threats.

Database patch management involves regularly applying updates and patches released by software vendors to address security vulnerabilities. By keeping your database systems up to date, you protect them from known exploits and improve overall security. Patch management reduces the risk of cyberattacks and ensures that your database systems function optimally and securely.