Database Security refers to the protective measures and controls used to safeguard the data within a database from unauthorized access, misuse, and corruption.
- It is essential for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database.
Key aspects of database security include:
- Access Control: Only authorized users should be able to access sensitive data. This can be controlled by setting permissions and roles, and using authentication mechanisms such as passwords, biometrics, or two-factor authentication.
- Encryption: Data encryption protects data both in transit (when sent over a network) and at rest (stored on a disk). This ensures that even if unauthorized users access the data, they cannot read or manipulate it.
- Audit Trails: Keeping logs of database access and changes helps track potential security breaches and assists in troubleshooting or forensic investigations.
- Backup and Recovery: Regular backups ensure that data can be restored in case of accidental loss or malicious attacks. A disaster recovery plan should be in place to minimize downtime.
- SQL Injection Prevention: SQL injection is a common attack method that manipulates database queries. Proper input validation, prepared statements, and parameterized queries can help mitigate this threat.
- Database Hardening: This involves removing or disabling unnecessary database services, accounts, or features to reduce the attack surface.
