Recently, a large number of data breaches has been gaining international headlines that bring the following revelation: no matter what size or kind of business you have, but this business involves the use of valuable information, then it is on the radar of criminals.

 

That’s why companies need to be one step ahead of the criminals when it comes to security, which practically requires constant investment in this area. Only with the implementation of a multilayer security strategy and constant updating, it is possible to protect not only the networks and applications, but also the database itself, so always look for a more careful way.

 

A common misconception among businesses is to think that if the network and applications are protected, then the database is too. If the goal of a cybercriminal is just accessing the data used by companies, it is clear that it is more likely that his actions are directed to information stored in databases. But not all pay attention to the fact that such records need specific protection.

 

Analyzing annually thousands of violations in enterprise networks and governments, teams of security experts identified the main attack techniques used by criminals seeking access to information of value.

 

These methods include, for example, releases via phishing attack and exploit security loop holes for infiltration threat of zero-day. Other devices are widely used to extract passwords directly from employees and the old trick of SQL injection threats standby. Once an attacker can gain access to a single entry point of the network, all along the perimeter defenses are roundly defeated.

 

Therefore, only the existence of internal security controls can ensure continuity of defense against these invaders. So, if your database is not trimmed for specific protection, the attacker simply find a small gap perimeter and the game is completely lost.

 

During the execution of our penetration testing of networks and applications, which most have found, in all sizes, databases are fully exposed, often well behind secured networks and applications, but, of course, never infallible.

 

These penetration tests, incidentally, are useful just for helping companies identify and correct weaknesses in the security of their assets before it’s too late. And it is through them that we found that most companies leave at least an open door towards database. They both rely on network security that never learned how to protect the information base itself and, thus, present criminals with easy and quiet to private high-value information for crime access.

 

To achieve compatible security levels, companies need to think like a criminal and develop defenses around all aspects of its infrastructure involving valuable data; in special databases. Only with an approach specifically focused on database and application security, in addition to safety directed at the network perimeter, you can create an adequate defense posture of the various layers of the information environment. In this approach, the closer an attacker to reach the target, the more difficult it becomes to achieve more strategic and more difficult spots that still remain in the environment without being detected.

 

Following are the top five security measures that companies should take to help protect your database.

Describe a clear plan of security and purpose for your database. There should be detailed measures and devices that will be used to protect databases. Assign responsibilities to all stakeholders and make it appear in your plan;
Perform a risk assessment to locate the databases that contain sensitive information and identify vulnerabilities or misconfigured security policies;

 

Implant protections for web applications that also impede access to the database. Lance hand application firewall for Web and secure coding practices;

 

Install technologies that restrict access privileges to the network, applications and database only to those people who really need to access them;

 

Finally, databases must be constantly monitored against attacks, abuse and misuse. And if a problem occurs, an incident response plan should be ready to be put into action immediately.

 

Companies can even evaluate lacking, indoors, the manpower or the set of skills required to effectively manage this type of security plan. If that’s the case, they should contemplate increasing the available personnel. This can be done through a partnership with an outsourced team of experts whose sole responsibility is to ensure that the most effective security tools are installed and working properly in order to avoid compromising data.

 

Taking these precautions can mean the difference between a failed attack and be the next victim of a major data breach.