Data is power for companies, because with it they develop business opportunities, improve processes, better understand their customers and stay in business. This has made these virtual or digital channels the target of attacks known as cybercrime. In 2020 alone, the FBI recorded 791,790 cybercrime complaints, a 69% growth over the previous year.
Think of it as a road on which you transport valuable data; these are linked from one digital environment to another and along the way the "cyber thieves" try to hack your information, i.e., violate the accesses to get hold of the data, which are then used to their advantage and cause substantial losses to companies.
Data is contained or circulating at different points, for example, on your website, in your transfers, on computers, in email, contact records, databases, and so on. The function of database security is to ensure the privacy of these channels.
It is important to clarify that although data moves in virtual spaces, your measures or actions can also be physical, that is why it is mentioned that security can come from protocols, that is to say, from processes that involve your collaborators and also from certain physical elements, for example, the fact that USB devices are not used in work computers.
To generate efficient database security efforts, it is necessary to involve people, protocols and technological systems; otherwise, there will hardly be any protection.
The importance of database security: 5 key benefits
Save costs: by backing up data to the cloud and distributing it across more servers on and off-site, your organization can mitigate the risk posed by cyber-attacks. By ensuring that data is protected by adequate security controls, you minimize the chances of a cyber breach, which means cost savings. With each attack prevented, you will save an average of $682,000 USD.
Generates resilient operations: organizations with multiple servers for data storage in the cloud (both on- and off-premises) are operationally resilient.
Strengthens decision making: Better protected data provides continuity for monitoring business strategies and their day-to-day implementation.
Protects against ransomware attacks: achieved with a proactive stance against cyber-attacks through measures such as staff training, threat scanning, and network and endpoint monitoring
Helps comply with data privacy laws: complying with privacy laws and data breach policies reduces risk; at the same time, it is relevant to incentivizing customer trust, in an environment where 38% of consumers aged 16-25 do not trust how retailers handle their sensitive data.
Characteristics of database security
Information security or database protection is proactive, predictive and reactive, i.e., actions must be established to inhibit cyber-attacks, as well as technologies that are continuously protecting from the source.
It is proactive when information security processes and protocols are established; when employees are trained and measures are communicated.
It is predictive because monitoring and analysis mechanisms of possible vulnerable cases must be established, therefore, an organization will be able to anticipate what a hacker is looking for.
It is reactive when the threat is already imminent and if there is a cyberattack it reacts to prevent it, thus ensuring protection.
How does database protection work?
Database security will focus on critical, valuable or sensitive information for the organization. Database security systems ensure confidentiality, integrity, availability and authentication (a method of identifying who can access it).
With this in mind, database protection works in stages that you can scale according to the type of operation your company has. That is why:
Identify the most vulnerable data, that is, the most sensitive for the company, so you will have visibility of what you want to protect.
Analyze the routes and channels through which this data circulates, since this way you will be able to locate the most critical points.
Establish processes and protocols so that everyone involved in the handling of such data knows what to do and what not to do.
Implement access and authentication controls to the databases.
Then you must encrypt the information based on the information security systems or technologies you use in your company.
Communicate, train and inform all members of the company about the measures on an ongoing basis.
Monitor databases, analyze IT environments and possible vulnerabilities.
Create an action plan in case of threats and incidents to know how to react, stop or minimize the impacts of a cyber attack.
1. Hardware security
This has to do with all the physical devices that can contain or through which data can pass, for example, firewalls or hardware firewalls, proxy servers, security modules for encrypted keys, authentication systems, among others.
2. Software security
In this case, the focus is on the virtual part, i.e. programs, platforms, software and applications focused on information protection. The best known example in this case is antivirus software.
3. Network security
This type of security focuses on the path through which data is transmitted, as is the case of the cloud, in order to ensure access to data without making them vulnerable to possible theft. All types of defense against cyber espionage, hacks, Trojans, interception of communications and others are concentrated here.
4. Database backups
A specific type of security is the backup of databases, which can be complete when all the data is copied; differential when only data that has been modified or updated is stored, or incremental backups when added information is saved.
5. Encryption
This is used to protect data that is not only stored but also travels through the network. In the event of data theft, this type of security makes it difficult for cybercriminals to interpret and use the data.
6. Intrusion detection
This type of security is activated when the system detects that someone is trying to enter an access denied or there is suspicious activity around the data. These are network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) that are continuously monitoring data traffic.
7. Incident management
The security information and event management systems (SIEM) visualize database security in an integral way, since through monitoring they make an analysis of incidents to generate reports that help the management of secure information.
8. Internet protocols
Every action on the Internet involves a cyber risk because you become visible and you are in the way of everyone, therefore, this type of security seeks to protect users on the Internet through cybersecurity systems HTTPS, SSL and TLS, which are applied so that websites are safe and users can share information or interact in these spaces.
9. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
This type of security applies actions to ensure that certain data is not sent from the network, thereby monitoring and assuring authorized persons that confidential data is not being copied or shared.
10. Defense in depth
This type of security tries to cover all the routes, environments and processes through which a company's data circulates or is stored, so it will involve technologies or systems to encrypt, mask data, apply access controls, constantly monitor and generate reports.
8 tips for choosing the best protection for your databases
There are many types of security and protection systems for your databases and information, so it is important that you analyze your organization's operation to know which are the best protection technologies. Here are some tips that can help you choose your database protection:
1. Perform an audit
It is essential to audit the type of devices and hardware you use in your company, the software, the network and the processes that are carried out in each area or work team that involves data handling.
2. Create an overview of your databases
Based on the audit, you should create a broad overview of your databases, i.e., know what they are, what type of data they contain, where they come from and what routes they take; this will enable you to classify the information and identify which are the most vulnerable, critical, sensitive and confidential databases. You will also determine which are the routes and points that must be specially reinforced.
3. Detect endpoint threats
Endpoints are those that are remotely connected to a network. Detecting their threats helps you prevent ransomware cyberattacks, since you develop positive habits in your organization and implement solutions such as antivirus and data security backups.
4. Look for tools that are constantly updated
Protection programs require continuous updating because every day there is new information about virus types and attacks, so consider those solutions that do so constantly.
5. Seek support and consultancy
Along with the previous point, you need a provider that really provides support and consultancy, as this will make it easier to implement solutions and make them scalable. In addition, with a good consultancy it will be easier for you to carry out training and education of all employees.
6. Find masking solutions
A good practice is the anonymization or masking of data. It involves generating a similar version based on the same structure as the original, but the sensitive data is modified in such a way that it is protected.
7. Avoid FTP scripts
If you use FTP scripts to communicate or exchange information, you are opening a security breach that leaves your data vulnerable, since this type of protocol does not use encryption. Verify that your systems have other types of protocols or that they are adequately reinforced.
8. Adapt secure internal tools
Many gaps that can alter the security of your databases come from within your organization, so it is advisable to implement secure collaboration channels or platforms between areas, teams and workers. Even your internal chat software is important, as well as the tools you manage for customers and external agents.
5 database security tools
Treat your databases as a fortress of high walls and various defenses, which you can create with the implementation of different tools:
Think of it as a road on which you transport valuable data; these are linked from one digital environment to another and along the way the "cyber thieves" try to hack your information, i.e., violate the accesses to get hold of the data, which are then used to their advantage and cause substantial losses to companies.
Data is contained or circulating at different points, for example, on your website, in your transfers, on computers, in email, contact records, databases, and so on. The function of database security is to ensure the privacy of these channels.
It is important to clarify that although data moves in virtual spaces, your measures or actions can also be physical, that is why it is mentioned that security can come from protocols, that is to say, from processes that involve your collaborators and also from certain physical elements, for example, the fact that USB devices are not used in work computers.
To generate efficient database security efforts, it is necessary to involve people, protocols and technological systems; otherwise, there will hardly be any protection.
The importance of database security: 5 key benefits
Save costs: by backing up data to the cloud and distributing it across more servers on and off-site, your organization can mitigate the risk posed by cyber-attacks. By ensuring that data is protected by adequate security controls, you minimize the chances of a cyber breach, which means cost savings. With each attack prevented, you will save an average of $682,000 USD.
Generates resilient operations: organizations with multiple servers for data storage in the cloud (both on- and off-premises) are operationally resilient.
Strengthens decision making: Better protected data provides continuity for monitoring business strategies and their day-to-day implementation.
Protects against ransomware attacks: achieved with a proactive stance against cyber-attacks through measures such as staff training, threat scanning, and network and endpoint monitoring
Helps comply with data privacy laws: complying with privacy laws and data breach policies reduces risk; at the same time, it is relevant to incentivizing customer trust, in an environment where 38% of consumers aged 16-25 do not trust how retailers handle their sensitive data.
Characteristics of database security
Information security or database protection is proactive, predictive and reactive, i.e., actions must be established to inhibit cyber-attacks, as well as technologies that are continuously protecting from the source.
It is proactive when information security processes and protocols are established; when employees are trained and measures are communicated.
It is predictive because monitoring and analysis mechanisms of possible vulnerable cases must be established, therefore, an organization will be able to anticipate what a hacker is looking for.
It is reactive when the threat is already imminent and if there is a cyberattack it reacts to prevent it, thus ensuring protection.
How does database protection work?
Database security will focus on critical, valuable or sensitive information for the organization. Database security systems ensure confidentiality, integrity, availability and authentication (a method of identifying who can access it).
With this in mind, database protection works in stages that you can scale according to the type of operation your company has. That is why:
Identify the most vulnerable data, that is, the most sensitive for the company, so you will have visibility of what you want to protect.
Analyze the routes and channels through which this data circulates, since this way you will be able to locate the most critical points.
Establish processes and protocols so that everyone involved in the handling of such data knows what to do and what not to do.
Implement access and authentication controls to the databases.
Then you must encrypt the information based on the information security systems or technologies you use in your company.
Communicate, train and inform all members of the company about the measures on an ongoing basis.
Monitor databases, analyze IT environments and possible vulnerabilities.
Create an action plan in case of threats and incidents to know how to react, stop or minimize the impacts of a cyber attack.
1. Hardware security
This has to do with all the physical devices that can contain or through which data can pass, for example, firewalls or hardware firewalls, proxy servers, security modules for encrypted keys, authentication systems, among others.
2. Software security
In this case, the focus is on the virtual part, i.e. programs, platforms, software and applications focused on information protection. The best known example in this case is antivirus software.
3. Network security
This type of security focuses on the path through which data is transmitted, as is the case of the cloud, in order to ensure access to data without making them vulnerable to possible theft. All types of defense against cyber espionage, hacks, Trojans, interception of communications and others are concentrated here.
4. Database backups
A specific type of security is the backup of databases, which can be complete when all the data is copied; differential when only data that has been modified or updated is stored, or incremental backups when added information is saved.
5. Encryption
This is used to protect data that is not only stored but also travels through the network. In the event of data theft, this type of security makes it difficult for cybercriminals to interpret and use the data.
6. Intrusion detection
This type of security is activated when the system detects that someone is trying to enter an access denied or there is suspicious activity around the data. These are network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) that are continuously monitoring data traffic.
7. Incident management
The security information and event management systems (SIEM) visualize database security in an integral way, since through monitoring they make an analysis of incidents to generate reports that help the management of secure information.
8. Internet protocols
Every action on the Internet involves a cyber risk because you become visible and you are in the way of everyone, therefore, this type of security seeks to protect users on the Internet through cybersecurity systems HTTPS, SSL and TLS, which are applied so that websites are safe and users can share information or interact in these spaces.
9. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
This type of security applies actions to ensure that certain data is not sent from the network, thereby monitoring and assuring authorized persons that confidential data is not being copied or shared.
10. Defense in depth
This type of security tries to cover all the routes, environments and processes through which a company's data circulates or is stored, so it will involve technologies or systems to encrypt, mask data, apply access controls, constantly monitor and generate reports.
8 tips for choosing the best protection for your databases
There are many types of security and protection systems for your databases and information, so it is important that you analyze your organization's operation to know which are the best protection technologies. Here are some tips that can help you choose your database protection:
1. Perform an audit
It is essential to audit the type of devices and hardware you use in your company, the software, the network and the processes that are carried out in each area or work team that involves data handling.
2. Create an overview of your databases
Based on the audit, you should create a broad overview of your databases, i.e., know what they are, what type of data they contain, where they come from and what routes they take; this will enable you to classify the information and identify which are the most vulnerable, critical, sensitive and confidential databases. You will also determine which are the routes and points that must be specially reinforced.
3. Detect endpoint threats
Endpoints are those that are remotely connected to a network. Detecting their threats helps you prevent ransomware cyberattacks, since you develop positive habits in your organization and implement solutions such as antivirus and data security backups.
4. Look for tools that are constantly updated
Protection programs require continuous updating because every day there is new information about virus types and attacks, so consider those solutions that do so constantly.
5. Seek support and consultancy
Along with the previous point, you need a provider that really provides support and consultancy, as this will make it easier to implement solutions and make them scalable. In addition, with a good consultancy it will be easier for you to carry out training and education of all employees.
6. Find masking solutions
A good practice is the anonymization or masking of data. It involves generating a similar version based on the same structure as the original, but the sensitive data is modified in such a way that it is protected.
7. Avoid FTP scripts
If you use FTP scripts to communicate or exchange information, you are opening a security breach that leaves your data vulnerable, since this type of protocol does not use encryption. Verify that your systems have other types of protocols or that they are adequately reinforced.
8. Adapt secure internal tools
Many gaps that can alter the security of your databases come from within your organization, so it is advisable to implement secure collaboration channels or platforms between areas, teams and workers. Even your internal chat software is important, as well as the tools you manage for customers and external agents.
5 database security tools
Treat your databases as a fortress of high walls and various defenses, which you can create with the implementation of different tools:
- Antivirus software: all computers connected to the network must host a reliable antivirus. This type of software integrates different protection actions to detect malware or other malicious elements. With this you can eliminate threats or establish a quarantine period for those devices that presented the incidences. It is important that the implemented software has the relevant updates. Anti-malware and anti-spyware software is also implemented, whose function is to monitor and supervise Internet traffic.
- Network perimeter firewall: this is one of the most recommended cybersecurity tools, since it scans network packets and allows or blocks access, according to the rules defined by an administrator. For this purpose, modern systems must be installed that can classify the files used according to various parameters.
- Proxy servers: is a computer program that acts as an intermediary between browser connections and the Internet by filtering all packets between the two. This tool is catalogued as one of the best in terms of computer security, because it blocks websites that are considered dangerous or forbidden within the work environment. In addition, it establishes an authentication system, which limits access to the external network, and allows to have records on sites, visits, among other data.
- Endpoint encryption: this encrypts data so that it cannot be interpreted or used by unauthorized persons.
- Vulnerability scanner: this software detects, analyzes and manages vulnerable routes. It issues real-time alerts, which helps troubleshoot problems in a timely manner and without compromising the continuity of operations within the organization.