How to Enhance Database Security?

This blog will walk you through multiple ways to enhance your database security. Dive into them!

Preface

Database security is of paramount importance to developers, DevOps engineers, database administrators, and everyone related to them. That is the case because database security is the primary obstacle to attackers stealing your data. If your database security is good enough, an attacker will either be no longer interested in the data inside of it or have a really hard time accessing data in it.

Why Enhance Database Security?

Before walking you through ways to enhance database security, you first need to understand why attackers are so interested in your data. If your database security isn’t tight enough, attackers are likely to perform one or more of the following tasks:

• Mount injection attacks inside of your database – injection attacks are easy to mount, come with a relatively low risk for an attacker, and often have a high reward (the data inside of your database) behind them. If an injection attack is mounted, the chances that your data will be stolen will increase, sometimes dramatically.
• Obtain access to the user table inside of your database – after a successful SQL injection attack, an attacker is likely to obtain access to the user table in your database. As the user table often includes usernames, email and IP addresses, sometimes phone numbers, IP addresses, and other information, the consequences of such an attack can be devastating. Of course, data breach search engines such as BreachDirectory will help you figure out if you’re affected, but that’s often done after the fact.
• Use the obtained data to come up with other attack vectors – furthermore, if an attacker mounts an SQL injection attack on your database and obtains the data within your user table, he or she can use the data for other attacks, such as credential stuffing and the like.

How to Enhance Database Security?

To prevent these things from happening, you need to enhance your database security. The tips outlined below will be of a general nature and applicable to almost any database management system you will find yourself using:

• Lock down the root user of your database – make sure that the main (“root”) user of your database is protected with a strong password consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters and special symbols, as well as has a length of more than 15-20 characters if possible. Locking down the users related to your database has to do with user security.
• Strengthen access control measures – make sure all of the users in your database only access data that is directly related to their responsibilities by avoiding to grant database privileges that are not necessary. In other words, only grant necessary privileges. E.g. if a user only reads data, only grant him the SELECT privilege, if updating is concerned, look at the UPDATE privilege, etc.
• Don’t forget general security guidelines – general security guidelines such as strong passwords, TLS, operational security, and the like go a long way and they mustn’t be forgotten. Always keep in mind that an attacker can break doors, but why break them if you can just open them instead? Make sure all of your doors are locked.
• Look into enterprise-level security controls: not all database management systems will come with enterprise-level security controls, but those that do often allow you to use tools informing better decision-making. For example, MySQL has a MySQL Enterprise Firewall, and other database management systems may come with similar tooling assisting your use case.

To summarize, start from general security measures such as strong passwords and encryption, then look into the security measures applicable to your database such as access control, user security, and the components and plugins that keep your database safe, and also don’t forget security plugins either.

Also don’t forget data breach search engines – you never know if an attacker can look up your password in a data breach that’s happened in the past and bypass all of the security measures that are in place. Data breach search engines such as BreachDirectory.com will help you ensure that your data isn’t stolen, and advise you on what to do if it has been stolen.

Summary

To enhance your database security, start with general security measures. Make sure to use strong passwords everywhere you go, look into disposable email addresses, use a VPN here or there, and so on.

After that’s done, ensure that your database privileges are up to par by strengthening your access control measures, consider using components and plugins that help keep your database safe from intruders, as well as look into enterprise-level security controls where necessary.

Last but not least, consider reading books on the subject to stay informed and keep your skills up to date wherever you go.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, stay tuned, and until next time.

FAQ

How to Increase Database Security?

To increase database security, start with general security measures, ensure that your database privileges are up to par by strengthening your access control measures, consider using components and plugins that help keep your database safe from intruders, as well as look into enterprise-level security controls where necessary.

Why are SQL Injection Attacks so Prevalent?

SQL injection attacks are prevalent because they’re easy to overlook, easy to mount for attackers, and come with an acceptable risk-to-reward ratio for nefarious parties.

How Can I Learn More About Database Security?

To learn more about database security and threats on the web, make sure to read blogs, attend and/or speak at conferences related to database security, and read books to keep your skills sharp. Hacking MySQL: Breaking, Optimizing, and Securing MySQL for Your Use Case is a great place to start.