Database security needs a seat at the cyber strategy table, writes Martin Hodgson, pictured, Director of Sales EMEA – Expansion at the IT monitoring product company Paessler GmbH.
As organisations invest more heavily in their cybersecurity strategies, the focus often leans to-ward endpoint protection, firewalls, and threat detection tools. Yet, one of the most valuable and vulnerable components, the database, can still be overlooked. With cyberattacks growing in volume and sophistication, securing databases should no longer be a back-office concern. It must be recognised as a frontline priority.
Databases house the crown jewels of an organisation’s digital estate: customer data, financial records, intellectual property, and more. A successful breach can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and, in regulated industries, serious legal consequences. Threat actors know this, which is why databases are an increasingly popular target, whether through direct attack or as part of a broader ransomware or insider threat campaign.
Modern challenges
While perimeter defences are essential, they’re no longer sufficient in isolation. Once a threat actor gains a foothold, often through phishing or a compromised endpoint, they can move laterally to access critical data stores. If database security has not been enforced with the same rigour, the fallout can be catastrophic.
Too often, security gaps exist because database environments are siloed from the broader IT infrastructure, making visibility and coordination difficult. This is especially true in hybrid environments, where legacy on-premises systems coexist with cloud-based assets. The lack of centralised oversight can allow misconfigurations and outdated software to go unnoticed, until it’s too late.
Best practices for proactive defence
A layered, proactive approach to database security can help mitigate these risks. Key best practices include:
• Access controls and least privilege: Role-based access management is essential. Users should only have the permissions they need—no more, no less. Monitor for privilege creep over time.
• Patch and configuration management: Databases must be kept up to date. Known vulnerabilities are a prime entry point for attackers, and misconfigured settings can leave sensitive data exposed.
• Monitoring and auditing: Continuously monitor database activity for anomalies — unexpected queries, access at odd hours, or signs of brute force attacks. Logging and auditing tools can help trace activity and support post-incident investigations.
• Encryption in transit and at rest: Ensure that sensitive data is always encrypted — during transmission and while stored. This adds a crucial line of defence should unauthorised access occur.
• Network segmentation: Isolate critical databases from broader network traffic to limit exposure if other parts of the network are compromised.
• Regular backup and recovery testing: Data backups must not only exist—they must work. Regularly test backup and recovery procedures to ensure rapid restoration in the event of an attack.
Continuous monitoring
Comprehensive monitoring plays a central role in securing database environments. Organisations need visibility into performance, availability, and security indicators in real time. Solutions like Paessler PRTG enable IT and security teams to proactively detect deviations from the norm, whether it’s a sudden spike in access requests or performance degradation that might signal malicious activity. Monitoring also helps bridge the gap between IT operations and security teams. It provides a common source of truth and early warning mechanism that can initiate faster responses and better-informed decisions.
Ultimately, database security is not just about technology, it’s about visibility, accountability, and ownership. Security teams must collaborate with database administrators, IT operations, and compliance functions to ensure policies are enforced, risks are mitigated, and monitoring is continuous. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and threats continue to evolve, organisations can no longer afford to treat database security as an afterthought. By embedding security best practices and real-time monitoring at the core of your database strategy, you not only reduce risk, you build resilience.
