Databases are an integral part of most modern businesses. They provide easy access to important business information. But without a database configuration review databases are vulnerable to attackers. You need proper database security services, including database penetration testing, to ensure your database is fully secured from attackers.
What is Database Security?
Database security is the practice of protecting your database from malicious activity. These malicious activities include cyber attacks or unauthorised access. Without proper database security, attackers could steal your data and use it for malicious purposes.
Database security involves using tools, processes, and methodologies to prevent unauthorised access to your database. The goal of database security is to make it impossible for attackers to access your database.
Why do you need database security services?
You need database security services for the following reasons:
1. Confidentiality
Your database holds your business’s intellectual property and trade secrets. If that information gets released, your business could lose its competitive advantage.
You need database security to prevent this from happening to you.
2. Integrity
Customers and business partners need to trust that you can safely store their data and your own. A secure database configuration protects your and your customers and business partners’ data from unauthorised access.
3. Compliance
Most organisations are required to adhere to multiple database security laws and regulations. Failing to meet these requirements results in penalties ranging from mild fines to a major lawsuit.
You can avoid these liabilities by employing proper database security.
4. Risk management
Your organisation’s database is always at risk of attacks. You’ll never be completely safe from attacks. Attackers will always develop more sophisticated attacks. So you have to continually update your database security.But you can reduce the risk of a database breach with regular database security updates.
Benefits of Database security services
Receiving database security services provides you with the following services:
- Database security service providers are experts with highly trained professionals. So they can give you the best expertise.
- Third-party database security experts are more cost-effective than building your own in-house team.
- Database security professionals can develop an objective perspective of your organisation’s security and give you unbiased recommendations.
- Outsourcing your database security needs to a third-party provider frees the rest of your business to focus on other areas.
Common attacks against Databases
Attackers employ a variety of techniques to steal information from your databases. The following four attacks are the most common.
1. Injection Attack
An injection attack is a database-specific threat that uses arbitrary non-SQL and SQL attack strings in database queries. These queries are mostly created as an extension of web application forms, and any database system is vulnerable to such attacks.
Database systems that were built without secure coding practices are especially vulnerable to injection attacks. The only way to avoid injection attacks is to regularly perform vulnerability testing.
2. Buffer Overflow
A buffer overflow is when a process attempts to write a larger block of data to a fixed block of memory than it’s permitted to hold. The attackers use the excess data as a starting point to launch further attacks to steal your data.
The only way to avoid a buffer overflow is to monitor and maintain your database regularly.
3. Unsecured Access
Unsecured access is when a database isn’t properly protected with a password or other security measures to prevent unauthorised access. Attackers can easily access your database and steal your data.
A secure database configuration is the only way to prevent unsecured access.
4. Malware
Malware is malicious software, like a virus, that’s designed to attack your database and steal/delete your data.
The only way to avoid malware is to have proper database security with regular updates.
What do database security services include?
You receive the following services when you hire a database security service provider.
1. Database Penetration Testing
Database penetration testing is the practice of stimulating attacks against a database to test for weaknesses. Database penetration testing is performed by a professional tester who tests the database for vulnerabilities.
The purpose of database penetration testing is to find your database’s vulnerabilities to fix them.
You receive a detailed report on the identified vulnerabilities at the end of database penetration testing. You’re also provided recommendations on how to correct these vulnerabilities.
1. Vulnerability Testing
Vulnerability testing involves using software to test for vulnerabilities that can prevent your database from functioning properly. This test involves using specialised software that tests assets attached to and using networks.
The software works by scanning assets, identifying vulnerabilities, and assessing the threat from these vulnerabilities.
At the end of a vulnerability scan, you receive a detailed report that lists the scanned assets and details on discovered vulnerabilities. You also receive recommendations about how to correct vulnerabilities.
2. Security Audit
A database security edit involves thoroughly reviewing your database’s security measures. The goal of the security audit is to ensure your database has appropriate security. This includes checking whether your database prevents unauthorised access and ensures your data integrity is maintained.
The security audit process will look at your entire database security configuration, including user permissions, network security, and data encryption. Every aspect of your database security will be assessed.
At the end of the security audit, you’ll receive a detailed report informing you of any discovered vulnerabilities and providing recommendations to correct them.
What do you receive from database security services?
You receive the following services:
- Database penetration testing and vulnerability testing services will analyse and report all vulnerabilities in your databases.
- Regular updates for your database security configuration
- Detailed reports on your database’s security.
How long does it take to perform a database penetration test?
There are numerous factors that influence the scoping of a database penetration test, such as:
- The size of the database
- The types
- The number of endpoints
What are the deliverables after Database penetration testing?
After a successful database penetration test, you receive a detailed report of the identified vulnerabilities, along with recommendations for correcting them, ideal for web developers.
In short, by the end of testing, you’ll know exactly how secure your mobile application is and what you can do to correct the vulnerabilities identified.
How much is a Database penetration test?
A database penetration test cost is calculated by the number of days a penetration tester will take to fulfil the agreed scope. The number of days can be determined by filling out our penetration testing scoping form or messaging us through our contact form to arrange a scoping call with one of our senior penetration testers.