Different Types of Database Security in DBMS

Last Updated on 2 months by Touhid

Database security refers to the process of protecting and safeguarding the database from unauthorized access or cyber-attacks. There are different types of database security such as encryption, authentication, backup, application security, and physical security which should be implemented in your business. In this post, we will explain each types of database security technique in order to secure the database.

Types of Database Security

The main purpose of database security is to keep sensitive information in a database and maintain the database’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The types of database security are key techniques that are used to provide database security.

Database security is important to protect from cyber-attacks which can lead to financial loss, and damage to brand reputation, business continuity, and customer confidence. The main security types of databases are as follows:

• Authentication
• Database Encryption
• Backup Database
• Physical Security
• Application Security
• Access Control
• Web Application Firewall
• Use Strong Password
• Database Auditing

1. Authentication

Database authentication is the types of database security that verify the user’s login credentials which are stored in a database. If the user’s login credentials match the database then the user can access the database. That means the user has authentication to log into your database.

If an authentic user has some privilege to access the data then he can’t access the other data which are out of privilege. No unauthorized or malicious user can’t log in to your database. So, database authentication plays an important role in ensuring database security.

2. Database Encryption

Encryption is one of the most effective database security best practices that protects your database from unauthorized access during storing and transmission over the internet.

There are different types of encryption algorithms such as AES, MD5, and SHA 1 which are used to encrypt and decrypt all types of sensitive data.

Typically, an encryption algorithm transforms the plain text data into a ciphertext of unreadable formats within a database. So, if hackers get access to your database then they can’t use your data until the data is decrypted.

It is highly recommended that you encrypt your sensitive data while storing it in a database because it provides security and protects you from cyber-attacks.

3. Backup Database

Backup is another type of database security which used to restore data in case of data loss, data corruption, hacking, or natural disasters. It copies or archives the database in real-time on a secondary storage.

If you configure the primary and secondary server at the same place and if the primary server is destroyed then there is a chance to destroy the secondary server. So, you can’t run your application and your system will shut down until you recover.

That’s why it is suggested that always configure the secondary server physically in a separate location to ensure database security. In that case, if the primary server is down then you can recover the database from the secondary server.

There are different types of database backup such as full backup, differential, and incremental backup. You can set your backup plan as per your business needs and time.

However, you can consider the following strategy to backup the database:

• Determine the backup schedule and backup types
• Make ensure database backup regularly
• Ensure your backup location is physically separate

4. Physical Security

Physical database security is the protection of the database server room to protect from unauthorized access. Database servers should be located in a secured and climate-controlled environment in a building.

Only DBA (Database Administration) and authorized IT (Information Technology) officers can enter the server room. If your database server is in a cloud data center then your service provider will take necessary action to secure your database. In that case, before hosting your database in a cloud you can ask them how they will secure your database.

It is also suggested that, if possible then don’t host the database server and application on the same server. You should physically isolate both servers for security purposes and performance also.

Even you can make a policy for the database server room which may include the room being locked at all times, only authorized IT officers can check the server room environment, etc.

5. Application Security

You have to secure your application and database to protect it from web attacks such as SQL injection. SQL injection is the most common web attack where hackers control an application’s database to hack sensitive information or destroy the database.

In this technique, the attacker adds the malicious code in SQL query, via web page input. It occurs when an application fails to properly sanitize the SQL statements. So, an attacker can add their own malicious SQL statements to access your database for malicious purposes.

To protect from SQL injection attacks, you can secure your application by applying the following prevention methods:

• Use of Prepared Statements
• Use a Web Application Firewall
• Updating your system
• Validating user input
• Limiting privileges
• Use Stored Procedures

6. Access Control

To ensure of database security you have to restrict the access of the database by unauthorized users. Only authorized user can get access the database and no unauthorized can’t access the database. Create user accounts by DBA who will access the database, set a role, and limit what they can access in your database.

So, access control is a type of database security that can secure your database by restricting unauthorized users’ access.

7. Web Application Firewall

A web application firewall or WAF is an application-based cyber security tool which is the database security best practice. WAF has been designed to protect applications by filtering, monitoring, and blocking HTTP malicious traffic.

This database security measure controls who can access the application and prevents intruders from accessing the application via the internet. To secure your application from malicious users you should use a web application firewall which will protect your application and database.

You can use one of the following Web Application Firewall in your system:

• Fortinet FortiWeb
• Citrix NetScaler AppFirewall
• F5 Advanced WAF
• Radware AppWall
• Symantec WAF
• Barracuda WAF
• Imperva WAF
• Sophos XG Firewall

8. Use Strong Password

Using a strong password is an important tip for ensuring database security. As a DBA or IT officer you should use strong passwords for database login and never share your password with others.

If you use an easy password such as your mobile no, employee ID, or date of birth which is known to hackers, and they will try to log in using these passwords. As a result, you will lose your database control.

So, create a strong password for database login using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters (minimum 10 characters in total) and change the password regularly.

For example: T#$jk67@89m* can be a strong password for your database login.

Learn more about How to create a Strong Password.

9. Database Auditing

Auditing is a very important types of database security control that can help to detect and identify unauthorized access to your DBMS (Database Management System).

Database auditing regularly checks the log files for who accessed the database, when they accessed it, how long time stayed there, and what they did in the database. You can easily find out if there is unauthorized access to the database server.

Database auditing is a type of database protection that can provide overall monitoring for the database security of your organization.

Conclusion

Finally, database security is one of the most important parts of a website and web application. If you properly fail to secure your database then attackers can take access to your database.

So, database security is essential to protect from cyber-attacks which can lead to financial loss, and damage to brand reputation, business continuity, and customer confidence. We have explained different types of database security. Hope the article will be helpful for you.