Today, we rely on data to drive our businesses, and we often store crucial information in databases. Yet, at the same time, cyber threats are on the rise, and companies often overlook database security.
Organizations must review their IT infrastructure and be sure they're taking every measure possible to protect sensitive information. This article offers advice on implementing measures that will help ensure we can keep our information secure.
Install disk encryption on any computers that store confidential information
One of the most fundamental measures you can take to protect your databases is to ensure they're encrypted. This protects them from unauthorized access and ensures the data will be unreadable if it falls into the wrong hands.
Disk encryption software can also allow you to manage or revoke access to information, which is particularly useful if an employee leaves your company. For example, it may be necessary to remove the device they used from the list of encrypted devices so that another person can access it.
Upgrade your wireless security
If your organization has a wireless network, you must take steps to ensure the information that's transmitted over the airwaves is safe. One of the most effective ways to do this is to upgrade your wireless security.
By using WPA2 encryption with a complex password, you can ensure that anyone who tries to intercept or eavesdrop on the data won't be able to access it. It's also wise to take advantage of the VPN feature on many wireless routers so that every device connected to that router will automatically use a secure connection when it's available. In addition, always keep firmware up-to-date and use the most recent version for your wireless routers and access points.
Deploy a firewall on your network and ensure it's configured correctly
A firewall is another way of protecting your database since it can block unauthorized access to your systems and prevent hackers from accessing them remotely. In many cases, even if a hacker has found a way around other security measures, they won't be able to bypass a firewall.
When deploying a firewall, it's essential that you configure it correctly and only allow the necessary traffic through the network. Also, remember to update the firmware regularly to always have access to the latest features for protection against new threats. Finally, use a virtual private network where possible, and keep in mind that you might need multiple firewalls on your network to effectively protect all of your devices.
Use multi-factor authentication for remote access
Hackers can access sensitive information by remotely accessing resources using VPNs or virtual private networks if the connection isn't secured with two-factor authentication. This is why it's essential to use multi-factor authentication on any systems allowing this type of access.
This prevents unauthorized users from connecting remotely if they don't have the proper credentials. Even if they succeed in logging on using single-factor access, they won't access more than intended. It's also wise to block VPN access to devices that you believe might be compromised.
Use SSL certificates for your web servers
Many organizations use their web servers to host databases and other types of sensitive information, but they're often deployed insecurely with no encryption or authentication. This means hackers can intercept traffic between the web server and clients through man-in-the-middle attacks, which can play havoc with the confidentiality of your databases.
When using web servers to host sensitive information, you should always use SSL certificates. This will encrypt all data being transmitted and ensure that any traffic between clients and the server is secure. The certificate also provides authentication, so it's even more effective at preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
Get in touch for better infrastructure
These are just a few of the many ways to use encryption to protect your databases from hackers. By taking the time to review the security measures in place on your systems and networks, you can determine where they're weak and take steps to improve them.
NAS Wireless can help you set up wireless security in your organization. Using the latest technology in wireless solutions, we can ensure your networks are protected from cyber-attacks. Get in touch with us today to find out more.