Manish Shah
Businesses typically use different types of databases to meet their specific requirements. Today, it is not uncommon for them to host their databases on-premise and in the cloud, too. That said, it can be challenging to monitor all the activities with traditional systems in place. This can be easier with a centralized and server-based database activity monitoring solution, which can enable secure access to all your databases no matter where they are hosted. Besides simplifying security audits, that solution could help your organization comply with regulations like GDPR, FISMA, SOX, HIPAA, PCI, and FERPA, and implement SOD.
How DAM works
The web-based architecture of the database activity monitoring solution establishes a central and secure access to data. All user activities are logged by the system, including SQL activity and user authentication. Built-in auditing capabilities offer full visibility over who accessed the data, for what reason, and when. IP addresses, user IDs, time, SQL queries are logged, including wrong login attempts.
Monitoring things happening to and within your databases will help your business fulfill compliance regulations, especially if you have a lot of end-users. Using a database monitoring tool, the administrators can ensure and oversee the security of the server. Moreover, it will be easy to deploy antimalware and antivirus remediation, and make all database activities and SQL users pass through one server.
Database object access control
This feature eliminates the need for administrators and database users to rely on database roles and permissions. Secure access can be automatically provided to data without compromising permissions and security protocols, making this essential for applications like sales and HR.
Supporting third-party log and metrics management platforms
Some database activity management solutions can work with third-party software for logs and metrics management, such as Sumologic and Splunk. The platform can log files, which can be sent to the software for continuous monitoring of access data, responding to external and internal attacks, and detecting anomalies.
Data masking
Dynamic data masking can be done according to predefined policy. The central policy management allows administrators to grant access only to the necessary data for the end users. This way, your business can provide data access and save money by not creating a separate database. At the same time, this database activity management feature could provide GDPR data protection to your business.
About the Author:
This article is written by Manish Shah, the CEO of Datasparc Inc. Datasparc offers data security, database management, data governance and data analytics; all in one solution. They offer DBHawk™, a web based SQL tool & database reporting software designed for Oracle, SQL Server and other databases.
