RDBMS security patches and updates are essential to protect your data and applications from vulnerabilities and threats. However, applying them can be a complex and risky process that requires careful planning and execution. In this article, you will learn how to manage RDBMS security patches and updates effectively and efficiently.
Before you start applying any patches or updates, you need to assess your current situation and identify your security requirements and risks. You should review your RDBMS security models and architectures, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, auditing, and backup. You should also analyze your RDBMS versions, configurations, dependencies, and performance. This will help you determine which patches or updates are relevant, urgent, and compatible with your RDBMS environment.
Knowing the above listed items that are directly related to the RDBMS is necessary but it is not the entire picture. Truly it is necessary to understand the information contained within the RDBMS and what risk that unauthorized access, changing, or leakage of this data poses to a company. It is also necessary to understand how the RDBMS fits within the entire system architecture. If the RDBMS is behind layers and layers of defense and does not hold financial data or highly valued Proprietary Information then the risk of unauthorized access may be of little concern. However, if the RDBMS is accessible from public systems like the internet and holds high valued information then the risk becomes much greater.
Managing RDBMS security patches and updates involves staying informed about new releases, assessing the risk of vulnerabilities, and prioritizing patches based on their impact. Before applying patches, they should be tested in a staging environment, with full backups taken to ensure a rollback option. Patches should be applied during scheduled maintenance windows, using automated tools for consistency and efficiency. After patching, thorough validation checks are necessary to confirm system functionality, and the process should be documented for compliance and future reference.
Once you have assessed your current situation, you should plan your patching and updating strategy with frequency, scope, and impact in mind. You should follow vendor recommendations and best practices, while also taking into account your business needs and availability. Additionally, it is important to test the patches and updates in a separate environment before applying them to your production environment and evaluate any potential effects on data, applications, and users. Lastly, you should prepare for any unexpected issues or errors that may arise during or after the patching and updating process by having a backup and restore plan as well as a rollback plan in case you need to revert to the previous state.
In my experience many organizations and database administrators focus on the patching without any regard to addressing secure RDBMS settings. Having the latest patches does not help when default passwords have not been changed. Upgrading to the latest version of software helps patch holes in the software but it does not address users having system and data privileges that they do not need to perform their work. There are many database security frameworks that can be utilized to assess the secure configuration of a system. We utilize the Center for Internet Security Benchmarks to understand the secure baselines of our clients systems and help them raise their security profile.
Once your patching and updating strategy is planned, you need to execute the process. It’s important to notify stakeholders and users about the expected downtime, changes, and benefits. Backing up data and configuration files before applying any patches or updates is also essential. The patches and updates should be applied in a sequential and consistent manner, following the vendor's instructions. After applying the patches and updates, monitor and verify the process, looking for any errors, warnings, or anomalies. Test and validate the functionality and performance of your RDBMS to ensure that everything works as expected. Finally, document and communicate the results of the patching and updating process, including any issues, resolutions, or recommendations.
Maintaining your RDBMS security posture after applying the patches and updates is essential. Review and update your security models and architectures, auditing and monitoring security activities and events, and educating and training users and administrators on best practices. Additionally, subscribing to the vendor's security bulletins and alerts will keep you informed of any new patches or updates. Following these steps will help you manage your RDBMS security patches and updates effectively, ultimately ensuring that your data and applications remain secure and reliable.