10 Database Security Best Practices You Should Know

10 Database Security Best Practices You Should Know

Risk-Based Security’s 2020 Q3 Report shows that around 36 billion records were hacked between January 2020 and September 2020. This is a staggering result, but it sends a clear message about the importance of database security. CyberSecurity Services

Website security practices are quite different from database security. The latter include physical steps, software solutions, and even education of your employees. It’s important to secure your site in order to limit the possible attack vectors cybercriminals might exploit.

Let’s take a look at 10 database security best practices that will help you protect sensitive data.

1. Physical database security deployment

Firstly, Your data centers and servers are susceptible to physical attacks from outsiders, or even insider threats. Cybercriminals can gain remote access to your database server by gaining access to it. They can also steal data, corrupt it, or insert malware. These types of attacks are often hard to spot without additional security measures. They can even bypass digital security protocols.

Make sure you choose a reliable web hosting company that takes security seriously. You should avoid hosting services that are free because they may lack security.

2. Separate database servers

To protect databases from cyberattacks, they require special security measures. Additionally, your data can be exposed to attack vectors from different websites by being stored on the same server.

Imagine that you own an online store. You keep all your sensitive and non-sensitive data on the same server. You can take security measures to protect your website from cyberattacks and fraud using the eCommerce platform’s security features and hosting service. 

Separate your database servers and other data to reduce security risks. You can also use real-time security information (SIEM) to protect your database servers and allow organizations to immediately take action in the case of a breach.

3. Install an HTTPS proxy server

 This server serves as a firewall and attempts to block unauthorized requests.

Most proxy servers use HTTP. If you need to deal with sensitive information like passwords, payment information, or personal data, an HTTPS server is recommended.

When data is being transmitted between servers, UDP and TCP protocols are used. These protocols automatically use default network ports when they are set up.

Because of their frequent occurrence, default ports are frequently used in brute force attacks. The cyber attack that targets your server will not use the default ports. Instead, they will try various port numbers with trial and error. This will discourage the attacker from extending their attack efforts due to additional work.

 however, it’s important to check the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority’s port registry before assigning a port.

5. Use real-time database monitoring

You can strengthen your security by actively scanning your database for potential breaches.

Tripwire’s real-time File Integrity Monitoring (FIM), a monitoring program that logs all actions on the server’s database, and alerts you if there are any breaches, can be used. To protect your sensitive data, you can also set up escalation procedures in the event of an attack to make sure it remains secure.

You should also regularly audit your database security and organize cybersecurity penetration tests. These will allow you to identify security gaps and fix them before there is a breach.

6. Firewalls for web and database applications

Firewalls provide the first line of defense against malicious access attempts. You should install a firewall on your site to protect it from different attack vectors.

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

You must configure your firewall correctly to address security gaps.

7. Deploy data encryption protocols

Not only is encryption important for protecting trade secrets, but it’s equally essential for moving sensitive information or storage.

Data encryption protocols reduce the chance of data breaches. Cybercriminals can’t get your data. This ensures that your data is safe.

8. Regular backups of your database are essential

It is common to make backups of your website. However, it is important to regularly create backups for the database. 

Here are the steps to create backups of your database on both Windows and Linux. 

9. Keep your applications current

Research has shown that 9/10 of applications have outdated software components. This creates a serious security threat when you consider the software that you use for managing your website or database.

 However, it is important to keep the software up-to-date and to install patches as they become available. However, it is important to keep them updated regularly. Avoid them.

10. Use strong user authentication

 This means that passwords are not sufficient to protect your data.

Multi-factor authentication is a way to combat this problem and add security to your database. This method is not perfect due to recent trends.

To further reduce the risk of data breaches, you should only allow valid IP addresses to access the database. To reduce the risk of data breaches, increase your database security

It is not easy to keep your database safe from malicious attacks. This requires a variety of tasks, starting with the physical location of the servers and ending with minimizing the chance for human error.

How do you choose your cyber security consulting partner?

However, Because there are so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right partner for cybersecurity consulting. It is important to understand your exact cybersecurity needs and evaluate the best options.

These are some tips to help you choose the right consultancy for your company.

• Define the organization’s objectives: Management and technical teams need to meet and define clearly the results they want by engaging outside cybersecurity experts. As they can often feel neglected, this can lead to long-term resentment.
• Avoid hiring independent contractors. Independent contractors are usually one-person shows. Your business will still be able to rely on the person if they are unavailable for any reason.
  
  We also recommend that you hire consultancies with multiple experts so that the consultant assigned to your account can always fall back on the advice/guidance/opinions of a larger team when a particularly problematic situation arises.

Search for simplicity and flexibility: Simplicity is one of the most important traits to look for in cybersecurity consulting. Avoid anyone who tries to make cyber too complicated for you. Unfortunately, some consultants aim to make solution offers more complicated in order to secure a long-term contract with a customer. Take this as a warning sign. Choose consultancies that are willing to be flexible and give services on your schedule and within your budget.