Database security is essential to keep your business’s data and files security from others that do not need access. Whether you are a small business owner or are a database administrator for a medium or large company, you need to have a solid understanding of data security basics.
Why Is Database Security Necessary?
Database security is important as it helps protect your data and files from others that should not have access to it. Whether it is a would-be hacker, an employee, or a vendor, you do not want people to have access to your data when it is not required.
For instance, your receptionist doesn’t need access to human resource data that shows personal and private information about your employees. You also do not want to risk your data being breached by a hacker and holding it ransom or sharing it publicly on the internet.
What Is Database Security?
Database security is implementing the right tools, applications, and solutions to secure your data and files from unauthorized access and use. Security is a general term that applies to any of the following:
- Data and files stored in “datastores.”
- Data and files stored in database applications like customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- Software apps that are used to access data and files stored locally, in the cloud, or on network servers.
- Web-based data, including your website content, e-commerce store, etc.
- Laptops, desktops, and servers that store data and files.
Establishing the right database security protocols is necessary so that those that need access to data and files for their job functions can access it while, at the same time, those that do not cannot access it.
How to Control Access to Data and Files
There are several effective ways to limit who has access to your data and files. Some of the more common data security methods used include, but may not be limited to:
- Requiring passwords to access hardware, software applications, data, and files.
- Enabling two-factor authentication protocols for sensitive data like payroll and earnings data.
- Using cybersecurity network monitoring tools and applications.
- Using ransomware prevention
- Keeping malware and antivirus apps current with regular updates.
- Enabling multitiered data access control permissions.
- Installing various server monitoring solutions that can help improve data and file security.
What Are Some Common Data Security Threats?
While hackers and ransomware come to mind, they are not your only data security threats. There are also other threats you need to be aware of and prepare for, including:
- Improper database management and security protocols.
- Disgruntled employees that want to steal data and files.
- Inexperienced database administrators that don’t understand how to secure data properly.
- Failing to apply patches and updates to software, antivirus, and malware apps.
- Failing to apply patches and updates to operating systems.
- Not implementing security measures to protect against DoS (denial of service) attacks through your website.
- Not enabling data security protocols on data and file backups.
- Not restricting access to data and files.
What Are Some Methods Used to Protect Data and Files?
Some things you can do to improve database security are:
- Use the right sever monitoring solutions like PA File Sight.
- Require database authentication via passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Perform regular data and file audits to see who is accessing data, what data they are accessing, and other such details.
- Secure cloud-based database servers by using remote data security and data monitoring solutions.
- Protect your website with the right tools and apps.
By using the ideas presented in our introduction to database security basics, you will be on your way to protecting your data and security.
For further information about PA File Sight and our other server monitoring solutions, please feel free to contact Power Admin at 1-800-401-2339 today! We offer a FREE, no-obligation 30-day trial with full access to try our server monitoring solutions.
