Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Data security is the prime concern of any organization now, and in the current time of big data, it becomes very complicated and skillful to administer database security measures. In this article, we will discuss the top vulnerabilities found in terms of database security administration and tips to eliminate those.
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As of late, databases are the major targets of hackers as these may contain very valuable information, which they can sell or misuse for monetary benefits. Such data may range from personal demographics to financial data or corporate intellectual property data etc. Cybercriminals also may try to breach the servers and damage the databases in them. So, all in all, ensuring cybersecurity is a must.
There are many recent incidents in which hackers targeted organizations that are dealing with personal user details. We have seen many major global brands like Facebook, Equifax, Google, Apple, Yahoo, Slack, Luxottica and eBay all on trial for data breaches over the last few years. We even see it in small businesses like ourselves here at Matchbox Design Group. These types of rampant activities have raised an increasing need for data security applications and software as well as data testing. Let’s get on to the topic of the top vulnerabilities in data-driven systems and measures to eliminate them.
Data Security Vulnerabilities
#1. No Security Testing Is Done Before Database Deployment
One major thing which weakens the database is the negligence of the administrators while planning and deploying databases. Even though they do functional testing to ensure optimized performance, this testing cannot ensure if the database is prone to any adverse data practices. So, it is essential to conduct website security testing using appropriate testing methodologies before deployment.
#2. Poor Encryption Combined With Data Breaches
You should consider your business database as the backend part of your business operations, which should be eliminated from any internet-borne threats. However, it doesn’t work this way by nature. There are many network interfaces on the databases which can be tracked easily by intruders and hackers if your security measures are poor. So, to avoid any such situations, the database administrators need to use SSL or TLS encryptions on their communication platforms.
#3. Fee Cybersecurity Apps
We may consider the data breach case of Equifax. The officials admitted to the fact that the personal details of about 147 million users were compromised. The consequence of this was huge, and the provider lost its credibility almost entirety. This incident proved how critical cybersecurity is and the use of the software to defend data security. However, due to the lack of resources or lack of time, the majority of businesses aren’t actually bothered much about following reliable data security measures and providing regular updates and patches to their security systems, thereby leaving their data stores susceptible to leaks and breaches.
#4. Database Backups Not Secured
As per RemoteDBA.com experts, the major threats to the database are both external and internal. There are many cases in which the companies struggle with internal threats, the same as that of external. Business owners cannot be 100% sure about the loyalty of their employees no matter how secure their systems and databases are. Anyone with access to critical business data may steal the data or use it improperly to end up in data loss.
There are many ways to eliminate such threats by encrypting the database archives and implementing very strong security standards, applying penalties in case of any database best practices violations, usage of top-end cybersecurity software, as well as increasing team awareness continuously through corporate meetings and continuous education to the employees about the importance of data security.
#5. Flaws In The Features
It is easy for hackers now to exploit the flaws in corporate applications to intrude into the databases. Hackers will break into the employee credentials and then access the systems to run an arbitrary code they send to it. Even though the process seems to be complex, hackers gain this access by exploiting the flaws of the inherent codes and features. Security testing can be used to protect the data from any third-party access effectively. The simplest your database and functional structure is, the easiest it will be for the hackers to introduce into your database stores.
#6. Complex And Weaker Database Infrastructure
Usually, hackers don’t take control of the databases all in one go. They first try to find out the weakest points in the database infrastructure and then leverage these to plan their operations. They try first to launch a string of attacks to reach the backend ultimately. Security software is not fully capable of protecting your systems from such malicious manipulations.
You should try to pay close attention to such flaws in your applications, and it is also essential not to make the database infrastructure so complex. If it is made complex, then it is possible that the implementers may forget the track or tend to neglect the need to check and fix the weaknesses. So, it is important for all the internal departments that deal with data to maintain a consistent degree of control to decentralize the focus and thereby reduce the risks.
#7. Unlimited Administrative Access
Proper division of tasks between the database administrators and the individual users will help ensure limited access to individuals. Following this pattern will help organizations to limit individual access to limited and only needed data sources and thereby reduce the risks of data loss. It is also ideal to limit the number of accounts for users as the hacker will find it difficult to gain access to the databases. Such use cases can be implemented for any type of business, but this is most commonly done now in the financial industry. This way, it is not only good in terms of caring for the database access of individuals to the most sensitive data but also to perform proper testing before releasing data.
Some other vulnerabilities to check for inter ms of data security are testing website security for any SQL injections, inadequate practices in key data management, database irregularities, excessive data permissions, missing patches, poorly configured logs, audits, etc. If you keep a close eye on these and make the most appropriate measures, data breaches and theft can be prevented to a large extent.
Kristen Smith
Is a blogger and content writer who writes many articles on Web Design, Social Media, and Technology. She enjoys reading new things on the internet. She spends a lot of time on social media.
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