More Security Is Needed, Harden Your Database!

THAT’S WHAT IS NEEDED FOR REAL SECURITY

In our increasingly AI-driven world, digital space security is as crucial as safeguarding our physical surroundings. One key measure is database hardening, the act of tweaking default configurations to minimise vulnerabilities. We take security very seriously at Djenie, for over 15 years we have been successfully protecting children’s data. We have done so without a breach. There’s good reason for that. Security is our #1 priority has been, always will be. Here are five prime practices that you, as members of Scouts Australia, can adopt to fortify your database in this AI-dominated era.

Infographic. Database hardening. Your guide to a more secure database

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Eliminate Surplus Services:

Much like clearing unnecessary items from our camping gear, databases often come with additional services that you may not need. Removing or disabling these reduces potential entry points for vulnerabilities.

Adopt the Principle of Least Privilege:

This principle aligns with your scout motto, “Be Prepared.” Grant users ONLY the access they need for their roles, reducing the risk of unauthorised data manipulation.

Commit to Regular Updates and Patching:

Just as you keep your scout gear well-maintained, you should ensure your database software is always updated. Regularly install patches to fix known vulnerabilities and keep the database at its safest.

Uphold Strong Password Policies:

Implement the use of complex, unique passwords and encourage regular changes. This practice is akin to securing your tent zips against unwanted intruders.

Encrypt Data:

Secure your data at rest and during transmission. If a breach does occur, encryption ensures that stolen data remains unreadable without the decryption keys, much like a secret scout code.

By following these database hardening practices, you can significantly reduce your digital campsite’s exposure to potential cyber threats. Remember, securing your database isn’t just about protecting data—it’s also about upholding the trust and reputation of Scouts Australia.

Have you got other insights about hardening databases in an AI-dominated world? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And remember, for more tips on cybersecurity, subscribe to our newsletter today! Let’s continue to make our digital world a safer place for all scouts.

Make sure you check out our other posts below on this important topic of Data Security and please let us know if you find that helpful too. Thanks for reading. Say safe.

REFERENCES

1. Eliminate Surplus Services

Shrivastava, V., & Sharma, R. K. (2015). Design and analysis of a multi-tier architecture for database management system. Procedia Computer Science, 70, 389-395.

2. Adopt the Principle of Least Privilege

Chen, L., Zhou, Y., & Cui, B. (2020). Rethinking Database Application Security: Least Privilege Database Access Control. Proceedings of the 2020 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data, 2551-2554.

3. Commit to Regular Updates and Patching

Thomas, K., McCoy, D., Grier, C., Kolcz, A., & Paxson, V. (2017). Trafficking Fraudulent Accounts: The Role of the Underground Market in Twitter Spam and Abuse. Proceedings of the 23rd USENIX Security Symposium, 195-210.

4. Uphold Strong Password Policies

Ur, B., Bees, J., Segreti, S. M., Bauer, L., Christin, N., & Cranor, L. F. (2016). Do Users’ Perceptions of Password Security Match Reality?. Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 3748-3760.

5. Encrypt Data

Boldyreva, A., & Chenette, N. (2015). Tools for encrypted database with adjustable disclosure. In Selected Areas in Cryptography (pp. 214-234). Springer.

Peter Riley

Peter Riley is an experienced writer, thespian, educator, businessman, and photographer. His writing is known for its clarity, wit, insights and humour. He loves the theatre. His driving passion is to help others understand. Photography is his outlet which slows down the world to one considered frame at a time. He welcomes the new world of Ai assistants and the help they’ll provide in letting him get on with his Peter powers. He always wanted his very own Robin, Batman has one.