What are the best practices for encrypting data in news databases?

1 Types of encryption

There are two main types of encryption for news databases: encryption at rest and encryption in transit. Encryption at rest means that the data is encrypted when it is stored on the disk or in the backup media. Encryption in transit means that the data is encrypted when it is transferred over the network or between applications. Both types of encryption are important for securing news databases, but they require different approaches and tools. For example, encryption at rest can be done using file system encryption, database encryption, or application encryption, while encryption in transit can be done using SSL/TLS, VPN, or IPSec protocols.

2 Encryption keys

Encryption keys are the secret codes that are used to encrypt and decrypt data. They are essential for ensuring the security and integrity of news databases, but they also pose some challenges. For instance, how to generate, store, manage, and rotate encryption keys, and how to prevent key loss or compromise. Some of the best practices for encryption keys are to use strong and random keys, to store them separately from the data and the application, to use a dedicated key management system or service, to rotate keys regularly and securely, and to implement backup and recovery procedures for keys.

3 Encryption performance

Encryption adds an extra layer of processing and complexity to news databases, which can affect their performance and availability. Depending on the type, level, and location of encryption, the impact can vary from negligible to significant. Therefore, it is important to measure and monitor the performance of news databases before and after applying encryption, and to optimize the encryption settings and parameters accordingly. Some of the best practices for encryption performance are to choose the most suitable encryption algorithm and mode, to balance the trade-off between security and speed, to encrypt only the necessary data and columns, and to use hardware acceleration or offloading when possible.

4 Encryption compliance

Encryption can help news databases meet the requirements of various laws and regulations that aim to protect the privacy and security of data. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, or the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada. However, encryption alone is not enough to ensure compliance. There are other factors and obligations that need to be considered, such as data minimization, consent, access control, breach notification, and audit trails. Some of the best practices for encryption compliance are to understand the applicable laws and standards, to document the encryption policies and procedures, to review and update the encryption practices regularly, and to consult with legal and security experts when needed.

5 Encryption challenges

Encryption is not a silver bullet for securing news databases. It has some limitations and drawbacks that need to be addressed and mitigated. For example, encryption does not prevent data from being deleted, corrupted, or tampered with, nor does it protect data from insider threats, malware, or human errors. Encryption also introduces some risks and complexities, such as key management, performance degradation, compatibility issues, or operational overhead. Some of the best practices for encryption challenges are to use a holistic and layered approach to data security, to test and verify the encryption solutions and processes, to educate and train the staff and users on encryption best practices, and to seek external guidance and support when necessary.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?