Database Security

Database security is processes, attributes and procedures within a database environment, which is used to ensure that only authorized users shall access database and data therein or make alteration in any way. It stems from policies and controls aimed at protecting the content of the data in a database system, and at making it secure and retrievable.

In other words, security of databases is a function that ensures that unauthorized users cannot gain access to secured information or in other words perform manipulative actions on database systems. This is done by use of authentication systems, access controls and encryption technologies that control the identities of the users as well as their access. More specific protection goals include data interception as well as alteration and unauthorized modification, I/O attacks and malware, malicious insiders, and data leakage.

Firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be used in conjunction with encryption in order to give users an alert for the activity at the time of the data transfer as well as during storage of the data.

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