Databases are an integral part of any organization and they are used to store huge amounts of sensitive and personal data. Every organization must ensure the proper technical safeguards are in place in place to secure the database and to prevent its information from being access by non-authorized personnel.

Database security is the collection of policies, procedures and tools to secure databases or database management program from threats that are malicious to the database. It’s not only about safeguarding the data in the database but on securing the database’s physical or virtual servers as well as the third-party software which can access it.

A compromised database could cause data breaches, or other security issues that could have negative consequences for your business. Data breaches can have the potential to shut down businesses which is why it is crucial to put safeguards in place to decrease the chance of one occurring. In addition the threat of insiders is the main reason for security breaches in databases. There are three kinds threat from insiders: malicious insider, a negligent or reckless insider and an infiltrator that obtained access to the database through compromised credentials. Software vulnerabilities could also cause problems for databases management software. A recent study done by Qualys has exposed the dangers of failing to patch security vulnerabilities promptly could expose the organization to attackers to launch cyber-attacks.

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To protect data, you should suggest these steps:

It is essential to ensure that the system you are using is secured. The majority of databases are network-accessible which means that any security flaw or threat to any component of the network infrastructure could cause harm towards the data. Everything that is connected to the network and that has an access point to the database should be protected. For instance Operating systems, programs, and any third-party applications that are connected to the database must be updated regularly with security patches to support the company’s patch management.

Manage access to the database and the network. This is a means of implementing the principle of least privilege that ensures that employees only be able to access only the resources required to perform their duties.

Control access to databases for verification that authorized employees have access to the database that are authorized to access. Monitoring tools for database activity will alert you to users’ misuse of access and intrusions, as well as malicious actions in real-time.

Secure all data that is sent to and stored within the database to safeguard against unauthorized access and leakage of information. It is essential to ensure that your credentials are secure and encrypted, and encryption keys are handled in accordance with best practices.

Conduct review of technical aspects. Security configurations that are not properly configured is listed as the 5th security vulnerability in the newly updated OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities. The configurations of databases should be reviewed regularly to ensure any security holes are addressed quickly before they are exploited by an attacker. Testing for vulnerability and penetration are a way to find and prioritize the vulnerabilities that are discovered.

Maintain audit trails. The activity of databases should be recorded and recorded, especially the ones that impact security or access to personal identifiable or sensitive information. This is helpful when evaluating the security of access controls, and also demonstrate compliance with regulations.