Your customer’s data is your lifeblood — without it, your business would quickly grind to a halt. That’s why it’s essential to protect this valuable asset, which starts with ensuring that your database is as secure as possible.
According to a 2020 Ponemon Institute State of Cybersecurity study, 66% of small and medium-sized firms across the globe have experienced a cyber assault during the past year.
With cybersecurity threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, staying up-to-date on the latest database security best practices is more critical than ever. Following the below steps will help reduce the risk of data loss or theft and keep your business running smoothly.
Understand the basics of database security
The first step to protecting your database is to understand the basics of how it works. A database is a collection of data that computers can access. The data is well-organized to make it easy to retrieve and update.
Most databases follow the relational model, which organizes data into tables. Tables are similar to folders in a file system, where each table stores a collection of information. Each table has a unique name and has columns and rows. Columns hold the attributes of the data, while rows contain the actual data records.
Aside from that, you can learn more through resources like books, websites, and online courses. You can also sharpen your skills by taking classes from reputed universities.
Implement strong passwords and authentication measures
Implementing strong passwords and authentication measures is a crucial database security best practice. Passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access, so it’s essential to choose ones that are difficult to guess.
Avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or your company name. Instead, combine upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Changing your passwords regularly and never reusing the same password at different sites is also essential.
In addition to strong passwords, you should also implement two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to enter a code from their mobile phone in addition to their password.
Doing so makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your database, even if they manage to guess or steal a password.
Encrypt your data
Data encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. It’s one of the most effective database security measures you can take to protect your information. That’s because even if someone manages to gain access to your database, they won’t be able to make sense of the encrypted data.
There are two main types of encryption. One is symmetric encryption that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. In contrast, asymmetric encryption uses a different key for each process.
Both methods are effective, but asymmetric encryption is generally more secure. That’s because it’s much more difficult for hackers to decrypt data encrypted with an asymmetric key. Nonetheless, symmetric and asymmetric encryption is an excellent way to protect your data.
Install a security system in your data room
Aside from cyberattacks, physical threats to your database are also a concern. That’s why installing a security system in your data room is essential. The type of security system you need will depend on the sensitivity of the information stored in your database.
You can use security cameras, access control systems, and alarms to deter potential threats. If you store sensitive data, you might want to consider investing in biometric security measures like fingerprint scanners or iris recognition. To further maximize your security, enabling an AI-powered video analytics solution can help you monitor your data room 24/7. You can get this from a reputable video analytics provider and set it up by a certified security installer.
In doing so, you can ensure that your data is safe from cyber and physical threats.
Educate employees on data security best practices
Lastly, it’s essential to educate your employees on data security best practices. They should be aware of the importance of keeping your data safe and understand the steps they need to take to protect it.
You can provide them with training on how to create strong passwords, encrypt data, and detect phishing attacks. It would help if you reminded them never to store passwords in plain text or share them with unauthorized individuals. This way, you can ensure that your data is in good hands.
By following the above database security best practices, you can ensure that your data is well-protected. Implementing these measures can help you safeguard your information from cyber and physical threats. So, be sure to implement them to keep your data safe.
