10 Essential Database Security Best Practices for Businesses

“Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves.”

Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, said this very popular quote about how important data is. The quote that was said years ago is becoming more and more relevant as the years pass. According to Forbes, In 93% of cases, an external attacker can breach an organization’s network perimeter and gain access to local network resources. Today, almost everything we do is powered by data. From our basic needs, education, medical needs, to advanced research and discoveries.

Another change that digitalization brought to the world, along with the dependency on data, is the threat of an attack that is now everywhere and constantly growing. Regardless of the size or scope of your business, data is crucial to its success. The loss of business data can end up costing your reputation, brand value, the customers as well as money.

The only thing that can sail you through this, is a secure database. Here are some tips to help you keep your database secure and prepared to face various security challenges while consulting with a SaaS development company.

Why is Database Security So Important?

Database security is extremely important for a business to run smoothly and efficiently. It is a methodology to protect the information against unauthorized access, illegitimate use, and malicious cyberattacks, and uphold the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database management systems, using tools, controls, and processes.

Here are some compelling reasons you should make Database Security your priority –

• Protects your entire database management system as well as the data present in the databases.
• Depending on your project needs, select the right database management system.
• Protects the related applications or integrations by preventing data breaches.
• Prevents the attacks on the physical database servers and virtual database servers.
• Last but not the least, protects the hardware from slowing down and crashing due to attacks.
• No more compromise on intellectual property, such as trade secrets, inventions, proprietary practices.
• Secure data maintains the brand reputation.
• Business continuity is maintained.
• Data compliance can be promised.
• Prevents the costs of repairing data breaches and notifying customers about the breach.

The easier to access and use a database is, the higher is the risk from threat. You need to increase the protection measures of your database. To do this, here are the most effective measures that you can opt for and make your database secure.

10 Essential Database Security Best Practices

1. Physical Security

When we talk about the database or data security, the first thing that comes to mind is security attacks and breaches; What we generally do not discuss is its physical security. Servers and data centers are vulnerable to physical attacks from outsiders or even from insiders. Cybercriminals can steal data from your server, corrupt it, or inject harmful malware to gain remote access if they get access to the physical server.

A database server must be housed in a secure, climate-controlled environment, regardless of whether it is on the premises or in a cloud data center. Be sure the web hosting company you select has a good reputation for taking security issues seriously.

In case you house your own servers, it is highly recommended that you add physical security measures such as cameras, locks, and staffed security. Further, all access to physical servers should be recorded and should only be granted to a limited group of users so that malicious activities can be minimized.

2. Separate Database Servers Based on the Type of Data

Do you keep all of your data on a single server? You have already increased your data risk by 50%. Data stored on the same server as your website, sensitive and otherwise, is also prone to the different attack vectors that are used to target websites.

Although website security measures provided by the hosting service can help you protect against cyberattacks and fraud, taking risks with your sensitive information isn’t a good idea. Any breach of your online store or your site will affect your database. Your database servers should be separated from everything else to mitigate these security risks.

3. Restrict the Database Users

Never allow anyone and everyone to access your database. Make sure you have a well-thought list of the users who can access your database as well as the network.

Ideally, access to the database should be limited to a practical minimum number of users, and their permission levels should be limited to the minimum levels necessary for them to perform their duties.

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