The significance of making transactions with a database is to provide a more cohesive and coherent transferring of data as well as keeping the data secure from erroneous circumstances like system failure.  With the use of database transaction, particularly data, which require frequent manipulation, will easily be accessed.  To understand database transaction more clearly, users just need to remember these terms – Atomic, Coherent, Isolated and Durable (ACID).  These are the properties of database transaction.  Thus, database transaction definitely follows the “do or die” concept.  Transactions will either work, or it will have no effect to the database.  Moreover, the database should also be isolated, and completed transactions should be stored in a safe system.

Purpose of Database Transactions

The use of a database, especially in businesses, implies credibility and integrity of data stored and manipulated.  With the use of a database transaction, data integrity will be maintained and each data transaction will have a consistent state.  This means that data processing will work independently from other databases.  For instance, you are working in a banking firm, and a transaction was made.  A check was issued to purchase $500 worth of clothes.  This check serves as a credit.  Thus, the accountant would have to record a debit of $500 as well as a credit of $500.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Database Transactions

When using the database transaction, organization of data will be simplified.  There will only be fewer tables and columns used than in a traditional database.  Users will also have easy access to data because users can only use insert.  Data within the database will never be altered, so there will never be any incidence of system failure.  Moreover, effective input of dates of transactions will surely aid in easy access to statement of accounts.

Flexibility is also an advantage when using a database transaction.  Users can definitely modify some of the important data without tampering other isolated data.  Users can change the rules and other interface without changing the structure of the database.  By using the database transaction, users will have better history retrieval.  Data are secured in a constraint environment.  Thus, data will definitely be incorruptible.  Lastly, you can effectively store your important data because of the consistent information available.  Archiving will definitely be convenient for database transaction users.

Although database transactions definitely bring great benefits to users, it also has its drawbacks.  Because all data are normalized and have an “insert only” feature, most data become less readable.  Most users will have a difficult time looking for their data and will just end up confused.  Furthermore, users will have less time or less opportunity to change the data within the database.  That’s why, when using the database transaction, users should make sure that every data input should be accurate and credible.

Database security is a series of processes and systems which are put in place to protect the database from any outside source that has a malicious intent or from anyone inadvertently accessing the database, whether they may be authorized or not. There are other security measures in place such as firewalls and routers, and these are some examples of those handling the external security of the database. Likewise, there are also network security systems in place to detect any malicious activity within the network. There are many other database information securities put in place to ensure maximum security, and some of these are access control, auditing, and encryption.

Setting Up Database Security

The security placed in a database can begin by the construction and publication of a set security standard placed in the environment of the database. Included in the database standard are the controls for different platforms as well as set practices for crossing over different platforms and links. Authentication as well as integrity is also part of the security procedures placed in a database.

One of the steps done by the administrators of the database is to check for vulnerability. This is done to see whether there are holes in the system that can allow other sources into the database. Any vulnerability discovered should be patched up to strengthen the security for databases.

Vulnerability Scan and Compliance Program

One major task for those databases that have critical environments is the continual monitoring program for compliance of the database security. This program is almost the same as the vulnerability scan, with the difference being that the vulnerability scan checks for holes which, in turn, lead to the strengthening of the security measure, which is needed for compliance monitoring. The vulnerability scan is only the first part in checking the strength of the database security before it is used, while the compliance program is used continuously to check whether the database security is still working or not.

The compliance program should also check the application dependencies since any changes done in the database level can affect it. The abstraction in the layer of the database is provided by the authentication as well as the authorization at the application layer. One benefit that abstraction provides is the sign-on system that can be used by a single person. This sign-on system gathers the ID and password of the user and stores as well as authenticates it.

Real-Time Monitoring

There is also the real-time monitoring of the database that allows the administrator to monitor the paths usually used to access the database, this is done so as they can gather or have an idea of any unrecognized movement within this path to the database. This will help eliminate possible sources or malicious users to access the database.

Additional Protections

Database security should be able to provide multiple encryption methods as well as authentication codes to make sure that the passwords and IDs given by the users cannot be accessed by anyone else, aside from the database administrator. Aside from the database security, a recovery program should also be put in place in case of emergencies that may disrupt the database administrator from accessing the database. This will help prevent any loss of information whenever such situation arises.

Database auditing is the method done by database administrators in order to see the actions of its users. This procedure is often done to make sure that the database is accessed only by those who are allowed. The security of the database is, of course, the main priority of the administrator, thus, the need of database auditing. Database auditing can be based on a single or a combination of actions. Security measures will be activated once you, as the administrator, emphasize the keys that will need to be secured at all times.

Importance of Database Auditing

Most companies most often ignore the security of the database since they are more concerned with the security of the network. This should not be so. Databases should always be protected since it is here that most of the company’s information is stored. Any personnel having access to the company’s database may prove hazardous to the company itself since they may change it at whim. Most companies don’t have any idea on the dangers of this unless a database auditing is done. Letting other employees have access to the database may cost the company a lot of money.

Programmers would recommend to the companies that they establish a secure audit trail for their databases. This way, they will know what activities were happening around the database and know who has been accessing the files in the database. Securing the database can limit the possibilities of identity theft in most companies, which is one of the main concerns of every company. Programmers who are proficient in creating security programs for databases also recommend having encryption so as to give those who need to access the database enough control to enter it. This is to ensure that only a few employees can indeed enter the database.

Uses of Database Auditing

Auditing of database has many uses. This includes accounting for all the actions that are happening within the database. It can also stop unwanted persons from altering the contents of the database. Aside from this, database auditing can also be used to investigate unwanted activities within the database. One advantage of having a database auditing is that it immediately alerts the system administrator that there is an illegal activity happening. The administrator can respond quickly once he receives the alert.

These are only some of the uses of a database auditing. There are still lots of benefits that you can have in your company when you use database auditing. Imagine all of your important data being accessed by anyone within your company and being vulnerable without the help of the audit trail.

Database security is composed of four parts. These are the server security, database connection, table access control and restricting database access. The server security is the one responsible in preventing unauthorized personnel from accessing the database. In terms of database connections, the administrator should also check whether the updates done on the database are done by authorized personnel. The table access control shows the access keys of each authorized personnel and what tables within the database can they handle. Restricting database access is important especially for those who have their database uploaded in the internet. This will help prevent any outside source from entering or getting access to your database.

Nowadays, information is one of the most valuable commodities. The internet has enabled people to share information across the globe. Unfortunately, there are people who have found ways to take advantage of this as cyber crimes are now as common as the ones done in the streets. Like the criminals in the real world, thieves in the internet also adapt to the changes in their playing field, and these criminals gain or use their knowledge to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Due to this, IT professionals have developed ways to make sure that information and data is secured in any database. Encryption is the key in making sure that information in a database is secure.

Database Encryption

Database encryption is basically protection from the loss of important information. This loss can either be unintentional or intentional. Apart from someone getting access into your database, there are also other ways that you can lose data. Data can be lost through physical means such as swapping hard drives or if the storage device gets destroyed. Encryption then is a process which involves transforming information into an unreadable data through the use of an algorithm called a cipher. The person who knows the key is the only one who will able to read the data by deciphering it. This method was originally used by the military to communicate and prevent enemies from knowing their plans, but nowadays, it is used to protect pertinent information in computers, networks, mobile telephones, ATMs, and storage devices. In terms of networks, this involves the internet, particularly online merchants and e-commerce websites, where personal and financial information can be found.

Database encryption is common among online merchants. The most common example of this is passwords. When you type a password when checking your email or logging in to any type of account, you see symbols instead of the actual letters.

Database encryption depends on what you want to protect your system from, so encryption can be a daunting task especially if you are dealing with databases which are complex systems. It’s important to know what you are getting into because, if things don’t go as planned, you may end up spending the next couple of years making it all work.

Why Use Database Encryption

If you want to protect database objects, files, or storage media, you use encryption for media protection. If you want to give access to a few people or protect yourself from people who have privileged user access, you need encryption for separation for duties. This is more difficult because databases are literally complex. Databases have structured data such as indexes, and messing with them will have an impact on the performance of your database, apart from the normal effect encryption has on the system. This usually results into a 2- to 30-year project due to the changes that are going to be implemented on the database and on the applications.

So before you decide going for a database encryption, it is important to know what you are after and what you need to protect your system from to avoid a major headache.