The Value of Auditing Data Sources
When dealing with massive volumes of information, databases are a must. Organisations of many types and sizes use them to keep track of anything from customer details to financial data. Therefore, databases are a desirable objective for hackers.
The term “database auditing” refers to the practise of keeping tabs on and analysing database activities. All users’ database activity, including data accessed and modified, must be monitored. Auditing databases may aid businesses in many ways.
Find out whether someone has been sneaking into the database.
Find and stop security lapses in data storage
Abide by the rules
Strengthen the safety of databases
Look into odd goings-on
What is the process of auditing a database?
When auditing a database, it is common practise to gather audit logs. Audit logs are detailed records of every database activity, including who accessed the database and what data they saw or modified. Depending on the database management system and the organization’s requirements for data security, many methods can be used to gather and store these logs.
Once audit logs have been compiled, they may be examined to spot irregular behaviour. This can take the form of intrusion into the database, efforts to alter sensitive information, or other out-of-the-ordinary behaviour. The study’ findings can then be utilised to implement fixes like locking down an account or forcing a password reset.
The Importance of Database Auditing.
There are a lot of good reasons why you should audit your database. In the first place, it can aid in identifying instances of illegal database access. This is essential in avoiding data breaches, which can cost businesses a lot of money and hurt their image.
Second, data breaches may be uncovered and avoided with the aid of a database audit. Monitoring database actions allows for early detection of suspect behaviour so that remedial measures may be taken before damage is done.
Third, reviewing databases may assist businesses stay in line with the law. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is only one of several laws that mandates data security practises. Auditing databases is useful for businesses since it provides evidence that they are following the rules.
Fourth, auditing can assist strengthen database protections. Organisations may better protect their databases against intrusion by locating and fixing security flaws.
As a fifth benefit, database auditing might be useful for looking into unusual behaviour. In the event of a data breach, the audit logs may be utilised to determine what happened and who is to blame.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Database Auditing
Factors such as database size and complexity, the organization’s security requirements, and available funds all influence how and whether database auditing is implemented. But there are several standard procedures that businesses may take to initiate database auditing:
Find the sensitive information that has to be safeguarded. The first step is to determine who has access to the database and what kind of sensitive information is stored there.
Pick the right audit records. Depending on the requirements of the business, several audit logs may be compiled.
Set up audit logging. Information gathering from audit logs requires setting them up properly.
Watch the records of audits. Suspicious behaviour can be uncovered through consistent monitoring of the audit records.
Do something to fix it. If illegal or otherwise questionable behaviour is uncovered, steps must be taken to stop it.
Conclusion
When it comes to preventing data breaches and unauthorised access, auditing databases is a crucial security step. Organisations may strengthen their security measures and lessen the likelihood of data breaches by adopting database audits.
In addition to the aforementioned gains, businesses may utilise database auditing to:
Enhanced quality of data
Locate causes of poor execution
Monitor database updates
Keep to the letter of the law and the regulations
Database auditing is a powerful method that may strengthen a company’s security and safeguard sensitive information.