Information management requires increasingly efficient tools. A company manages so much information that a simple spreadsheet is no longer enough. The same is true when it comes to the protection of the data it houses. That is why database auditing is a practice that must be present in the tasks of any organization that has one, regardless of its size.
In this article we will tell you everything you need to know to perform the best audit: from its definition and importance to how to do it and with what software (since a good selection of tools will undoubtedly make the task much easier and faster).
It is also possible to know the devices used to access and their locations: where the database was accessed from, the permissions that users have, the way in which they were modified in each movement, and so on.
Regardless of the size of the information stored, database auditing is a review that every organization is obliged to do. Especially to comply with current protocols (depending on the territory where the company is located) that are responsible for protecting the handling of sensitive personal information.
The importance of a database audit
In addition to the security we mentioned above, we can mention that this practice is important because:
1. Set objectives and verify the type of data management.
As with all projects that you hope to complete successfully, you need to set a goal. Although the database audit is a practice that should be carried out at least once a year, it is also likely to be carried out for a particular issue, either because of an incident that violated the information, a change of personnel in charge of its management, or because the database has grown considerably in the last quarter. If the latter is the case, it is likely that there is a mismatch in the classification and organization of data, so it is best to ensure that everything is in order.
When we talk about verifying data management, we mean that you are sure that there are internal regulations that explain how the information you keep in your database is obtained, what data you handle, who handles it and what their current permissions are and what they are used for. You must also have a document that guarantees that you follow the guidelines of the data protection laws of the place where you operate, in order to verify that you are not breaking any statute.
2. Gather information
Here it will be necessary that you plan interviews with the personnel in charge of the database, that you carry them out and that the auditor or auditors know the procedures of data collection and management to be able to make a comparison with what is on paper and what they will find in practice.
3. Detect incidents or irregular activities.
During the whole procedure it will be important that you record in writing all the steps to follow, and of course everything that does not correspond to the legal statutes and good practices. We are referring to aspects such as the way in which the information is classified, the transparency of accesses and actions carried out in the database. In this way it will be easy to locate attempts to steal information or incomplete capture processes that can later turn into a delicate crisis.
4. Consult previous database audits
This way you can ensure that there have been no repeated incidents or vulnerabilities, as well as confirm that the people in charge of these tasks have mastered the task without errors. In short, past database audits will help you create a better picture; even to record the increasing size of the information being stored or to draw valuable conclusions about the performance of the tools, consulting historical data is essential.
5. Produce a detailed report
Information is one of the most valuable assets of companies, no matter what industry you belong to or how much you depend on it for your business; therefore, a superficial report may be quicker to produce, but it will definitely not provide value in the long term. It is important that you include in detail the irregularities that were found, what can be improved, what could be the solutions and the successes that are a good idea to continue replicating.
Here is a selection of software that will help you perform this type of audit.
5 database auditing and monitoring software
1. Redgate
Redgate's solutions are classified by industry (such as finance, service providers, healthcare) or by need (standardized development for teams, monitoring performance and availability, protecting and preserving data, among others). It helps to categorize, back up and connect your database to your control system; it is also compatible with Oracle.
2. IDERA
IDERA can make a performance report, management based on established policies, ensure data quality and protections that guarantee the security of your data. It is ideal to start designing the database or optimize the existing one, both in physical computers of the company and in the cloud. If you hire it, you have access to a community that helps you use it to its full potential and to specialized technical support.
3. Solarwinds
Its mission is to simplify database auditing, and one of its most valuable tools is that it helps verify that your users comply with the data protection regulations of different entities. It automates auditing on files, folders and servers; allows you to customize reports to deliver up-to-date information on the status of information; and lets you manage your team's access and permissions from a single place.
4. IDEA
Developed by CaseWare Analytics, IDEA has more than a hundred tasks related to database auditing that will be very useful. You will be able to detect patterns in the information, create reports with graphs that allow you to better understand the data and share them with third parties (such as Tableau, MS Excel, ODBC); this way you will be able to detect irregularities easily.
5. Foglight
Quest has Foglight for database management. It allows you to manage all the databases your company has access to from a single console and the best thing is that it is created for hybrid environments (physical equipment and the cloud). You will be able to detect performance problems before they become an obstacle for users, it will provide you with enriched historical data and will also give you access to a historical overview that will help you better understand the incidents you have.
After this guide, remember that despite the effort, an audit will help you keep your database protection as secure as if it were your own personal data.
In this article we will tell you everything you need to know to perform the best audit: from its definition and importance to how to do it and with what software (since a good selection of tools will undoubtedly make the task much easier and faster).
It is also possible to know the devices used to access and their locations: where the database was accessed from, the permissions that users have, the way in which they were modified in each movement, and so on.
Regardless of the size of the information stored, database auditing is a review that every organization is obliged to do. Especially to comply with current protocols (depending on the territory where the company is located) that are responsible for protecting the handling of sensitive personal information.
The importance of a database audit
In addition to the security we mentioned above, we can mention that this practice is important because:
- It reduces risks due to data mishandling.
- It avoids data leakage.
- It prevents system crashes if it is identified in time where it was corrupted.
- It keeps at bay criminal behavior, internal or external.
- Detects vulnerabilities.
- Guarantees that the information is used only for the purposes established by the company and approved by the laws in force.
- It protects the applications or tools that are fed with the database.
1. Set objectives and verify the type of data management.
As with all projects that you hope to complete successfully, you need to set a goal. Although the database audit is a practice that should be carried out at least once a year, it is also likely to be carried out for a particular issue, either because of an incident that violated the information, a change of personnel in charge of its management, or because the database has grown considerably in the last quarter. If the latter is the case, it is likely that there is a mismatch in the classification and organization of data, so it is best to ensure that everything is in order.
When we talk about verifying data management, we mean that you are sure that there are internal regulations that explain how the information you keep in your database is obtained, what data you handle, who handles it and what their current permissions are and what they are used for. You must also have a document that guarantees that you follow the guidelines of the data protection laws of the place where you operate, in order to verify that you are not breaking any statute.
2. Gather information
Here it will be necessary that you plan interviews with the personnel in charge of the database, that you carry them out and that the auditor or auditors know the procedures of data collection and management to be able to make a comparison with what is on paper and what they will find in practice.
3. Detect incidents or irregular activities.
During the whole procedure it will be important that you record in writing all the steps to follow, and of course everything that does not correspond to the legal statutes and good practices. We are referring to aspects such as the way in which the information is classified, the transparency of accesses and actions carried out in the database. In this way it will be easy to locate attempts to steal information or incomplete capture processes that can later turn into a delicate crisis.
4. Consult previous database audits
This way you can ensure that there have been no repeated incidents or vulnerabilities, as well as confirm that the people in charge of these tasks have mastered the task without errors. In short, past database audits will help you create a better picture; even to record the increasing size of the information being stored or to draw valuable conclusions about the performance of the tools, consulting historical data is essential.
5. Produce a detailed report
Information is one of the most valuable assets of companies, no matter what industry you belong to or how much you depend on it for your business; therefore, a superficial report may be quicker to produce, but it will definitely not provide value in the long term. It is important that you include in detail the irregularities that were found, what can be improved, what could be the solutions and the successes that are a good idea to continue replicating.
Here is a selection of software that will help you perform this type of audit.
5 database auditing and monitoring software
1. Redgate
Redgate's solutions are classified by industry (such as finance, service providers, healthcare) or by need (standardized development for teams, monitoring performance and availability, protecting and preserving data, among others). It helps to categorize, back up and connect your database to your control system; it is also compatible with Oracle.
2. IDERA
IDERA can make a performance report, management based on established policies, ensure data quality and protections that guarantee the security of your data. It is ideal to start designing the database or optimize the existing one, both in physical computers of the company and in the cloud. If you hire it, you have access to a community that helps you use it to its full potential and to specialized technical support.
3. Solarwinds
Its mission is to simplify database auditing, and one of its most valuable tools is that it helps verify that your users comply with the data protection regulations of different entities. It automates auditing on files, folders and servers; allows you to customize reports to deliver up-to-date information on the status of information; and lets you manage your team's access and permissions from a single place.
4. IDEA
Developed by CaseWare Analytics, IDEA has more than a hundred tasks related to database auditing that will be very useful. You will be able to detect patterns in the information, create reports with graphs that allow you to better understand the data and share them with third parties (such as Tableau, MS Excel, ODBC); this way you will be able to detect irregularities easily.
5. Foglight
Quest has Foglight for database management. It allows you to manage all the databases your company has access to from a single console and the best thing is that it is created for hybrid environments (physical equipment and the cloud). You will be able to detect performance problems before they become an obstacle for users, it will provide you with enriched historical data and will also give you access to a historical overview that will help you better understand the incidents you have.
After this guide, remember that despite the effort, an audit will help you keep your database protection as secure as if it were your own personal data.