How can you ensure remote users don't access your database?

Enforce Strong Password Policies: Mandate complex passwords, regular changes, and avoid password reuse. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Require additional verification beyond passwords, such as codes sent to phones/emails. Grant Least Privilege Access: Assign only the minimum permissions necessary for users to perform their tasks. Regularly Review and Revoke Access: Periodically evaluate user accounts and disable those no longer needed.

Any good security measure starts by a team abiding to ‘least privilege policy’ 1.The first step is to avoid any public access to the database. To be able to access the database the user would have to use a jump box in between through which proper authentication and authorization can happen.Right from implementing proper Virtual Network firewalls to Instance level security groups/firewalls- the key is to lock down the IPs to a minimal CIDR range or individual IPs if possible 2. The second would be to use a IAM based authentication instead of password based logins since these tokens are all short lived which adds a layer of protection. However if somebody is unable to use IAM, it is important to make sure the password policies in place

Embrace Zero Trust Architecture: Adopt a mindset of continuous authentication and authorization, even for users within the network perimeter.

Identity and Access Management(IAM): This includes Authentication to your database which deals with Who has access,and also Authorization which deals with How much access they have. Enforce MFA. 2. Ensure Conditional Access. Since the question is about the remote users,you can leverage the Location parameter and ensure that the local users only have access.You can also enforce VPN and minimum device configuration requirements. 3. Network configuration: Ensure that you have strong network policies and firewalls to block unauthorized access. 4. Follow the Principle of Least Privilege. 5. Data encryption at Rest using strong encryption standards and in Transit using the latest TLS versions is absolutely necessary. 6. Log, Audit & Analyze.

To secure your PostgreSQL database from unauthorized remote access: 1. Configure `pg_hba.conf` to restrict access. Allow only local or specific IPs for remote connections. 2. Ensure all accounts have strong, unique passwords.(SCARM-SHA256) 3. Use SSL for necessary remote access to encrypt data transmission. 4. Keep PostgreSQL updated with the latest security patches. 5. Apply least privilege principles, granting users minimum necessary access. 6. Use a firewall to limit access to PostgreSQL’s port (default 5432) to trusted hosts. 7. Regularly monitor logs and audit the database for unusual activities. 8. Implement Role based access These steps will significantly enhance your database's security against remote threats.

Encrypt data in transit and at rest Another way to prevent remote users from accessing your database is to encrypt your data both in transit and at rest. Encryption ensures that only authorized users can read and modify your data

Leverage Data Masking: Obscure sensitive data elements during development, testing, or analytics processes to reduce exposure.

Ensure data is protected both in transit and at rest. Utilize encryption protocols like TLS for data in transit and implement tools such as Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) or BitLocker for encrypting data at rest. It’s also crucial to manage your encryption keys with utmost care, storing them in a secure and separate location from the data itself to prevent unauthorized access.

Configure firewalls to allow database access only from specific IP addresses or a range of IP addresses that belong to your organization. Block all incoming connections by default and only allow traffic from trusted sources. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms for database access, such as using strong passwords or implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA). Regularly review and update user access credentials, and ensure that default accounts are either disabled or have their passwords changed. Use SSH tunneling to establish a secure connection between the remote user's machine and the database server. By combining these measures, one can enhance the security of database and minimize the risk of unauthorized access by remote users.

- Set up NDR - Firewall rule controls - PAM usage controls - DB Encryption. - DB Audits - SIEM Rule Sets - SOAR Playbooks

Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers or exfiltration attempts. It involves the use of a software that classifies regulated, confidential, and business critical data and identifies violations of policies defined by organizations or within a predefined policy pack. These policies are typically driven by regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or GDPR

In my experience, a properly configured firewall is pivotal in safeguarding your database from unauthorised access. It should be set to permit only essential traffic, with strict rules on allowed ports and IP addresses. Moreover, network security tools like VPNs, proxies, or gateways are indispensable for establishing secure pathways for remote users, ensuring the concealment of IP addresses and data encryption while maintaining stringent user authentication.

Most database have default TCP port for connection. Configuring a non standard port avoid standard attack. You can also set a listener tool on the default port to catch the IP addresses of attackers and use it in your firewall rule on any port to protect. You can also set rule at firewall level that allows only the applications servers and some administrative servers for dba access.

#Oracle #Database #Firewall secures Oracle databases from unauthorized access and SQL injection attacks, including those from remote users. It enforces access control policies, monitors SQL statements in real time, and provides user behavior analytics. Customizable policies adapt to unique requirements, and integration with Oracle Audit Vault enhances centralized auditing. This network-level solution is effective for safeguarding against threats associated with remote user access, adding an extra layer of security to protect databases over networks.

To enhance the security of your database against remote access, set up a firewall to permit connections only from trusted IP addresses. Ensure users have robust passwords, avoid default credentials, and limit access privileges. Bind the database server to specific network interfaces, implement encryption for data transmission, and employ two-factor authentication for added security. Regularly monitor database access through audit logs, keep software updated, and allowlist specific IP addresses. Additionally, consider using a bastion host as an intermediary for remote access. Always consult your database system's documentation for specific guidance and test changes cautiously in a controlled environment before implementing them in production

In my experience, vigilant monitoring and auditing are critical in identifying and thwarting unauthorised database access. Tools like SQL Server Audit or Oracle Audit Vault are essential for tracking access details, including who accessed the database, what they did, and when. It's also beneficial to implement real-time alerts for any abnormal activities, such as multiple failed login attempts or unexpected changes in permissions. Regular review of audit logs and swift response to any red flags are fundamental practices for maintaining database security.

Usage of DAM monitoring tools such as IBM Guardium and FortiDB allows for the monitoring of databases to the query level, where details such as the origin of the query are captured.

The database must be continuously monitored to detect abnormal user activities. Access to the database can be restricted to IPs that are external to the institutional network.

A zero trust model is the most effective for overall security. In addition encryption of data at rest and in transit and encryption of backups and auditing of logs and multifactor authorization are a must. Security inside of your network plus permiter protection is the best way to go.

This is a best way to keep track what, when and who is accessing the database. There are numerous ways to automate the same like in SQL Server we have default C2 audits we can directly enable it. We have another option within SQL Server to setup audit on database as well as instance level and automate the same. There are several benefits of automating Auditing and logging - * Comprehensive Monitoring * Proactive Threat Detection * Compliance Enforcement * Operational Insights We can also achieve the same via using the scripting and also, we have many tools like idera etc. to automate the audits.

Education and training in data security best practices are fundamental in mitigating unauthorised access to your database by remote users. Providing clear, updated policies and guidelines on secure data access, usage, and storage is essential. Conducting regular training sessions and tests ensures that these best practices are understood and applied consistently. Moreover, fostering an environment where users are encouraged to report security concerns and receive constructive feedback is crucial for maintaining a proactive stance on database security.

Apply NDA to prevent intentional divulgation of sensitive information or data that affect the companies because "unhappy users" can take advantage of their position to stole information.

Prioritize Vulnerability Management: - Proactive Patching: Stay ahead of known vulnerabilities by promptly applying security patches to database software and operating systems. - Regular Vulnerability Scanning: Conduct regular scans to identify and address potential weaknesses proactively.

Use data masking for sensitive data. Column level masking is very useful to protect personal and health related data. Provide access to views instead of tables. This will help to show only fields which are required for user and roles level.

PostgreSQL has built in host based authentication (HBA) in which you can define how to authenticate users based on the network they come from (as well as user/group). For example, you can define that users coming from one network are required to use SSL when connecting, and that they must use scram-sha-256 encryption on their password to get in. You can define the same for a group or single user. Another example going the other way: you can allow non ssl connections from a specific machine to login as any user with no password (“trust”).

PostgreSQL has built in host based authentication (HBA) in which you can define how to authenticate users based on the network they come from (as well as user/group). For example, you can define that users coming from one network are required to use SSL when connecting, and that they must use scram-sha-256 encryption on their password to get in. You can define the same for a group or single user. Another example going the other way: you can allow non ssl connections from a specific machine to login as any user with no password (“trust”).

It’s essential to recognise that security is not just about technology but also people and processes. An example is the concept of ‘least privilege,’ where users are granted the minimum levels of access or permissions needed to perform their job functions. While I agree with the stringent technical measures already discussed, we must not overlook the human element. Regular security audits and fostering a culture of security awareness complement the technical safeguards and are just as vital for protecting against breaches from both internal and external threats.