Introduction

Do you understand the importance of getting a database? If you do not then you're at the right place. Various firms rely on databases for recording, updating and tracking their data on a Realtime basis. In addition, databases are used to create accounting reports, perform sales estimates and invoice customers.  Unfortunately, this information is at risk of attack because it can be used for numerous gains by hackers. According to reports, the average hacker only requires ten seconds to get in and out of the database to acquire an enormous wealth of information. Databases are advanced, and business leaders do not understand the implications of underestimating its security and integrity. For that reason, they present the perfect opportunity for hackers to infiltrate their systems.

What Is Database Security?

Database security is very important for any organization because it determines their future existence. Database security involves protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of the information. Confidentiality, Integrity, and accessibility form the basis of data security and this needs to be taken very seriously. Here is a quick glimpse of the vital aspects of database security.

 Confidentiality – This is the most important aspect of database security and is mostly implemented through encryption. What is encryption? Data encryption or simply encryption utilizes algorithms and computer applications to transform plain text into jumbled and unreadable code. To be able to decrypt or read the data, you will need the encryption key (a sequence of bits which is used to decode this text) so that the information is converted from the ciphertext back to plain text. encryption ought to be done for each data-in-transit and data-at-rest.

• Integrity – This is another crucial factor of database security and it ensures that only the allowed people can access privileged company data. The integrity of any information in the database is implemented through a User Access system that defines permissions for unwarranted people. Integrity extends to more than providing data access permission. This security aspect calls for authentication protocols, robust secret policies, and guaranteeing unused accounts (like workers that have left the company).
• Availability – This relates to the requirement for databases to be up and out there to be used. Databases ought to be dependable so as to be practical, which requires them to be up and running whenever needed for quick data access. This means that downtimes should be planned on weekends for servers to be kept updated.

 Database Security Threats: the most Frequent Attacks

 There are risks facing databases that vary from company to company, depending on its importance to the company.  That said, let us have a look at the threat your database may be prone to and how to combat these attacks.

SQL database injections are no doubt among the largest threats to databases. They are usually launched on either the information or the online app that acts as a front-end to the information. SQL injections happen when attackers craft a malicious malware that would permit them access to sensitive information and provide them with privileges to control the systems. To protect your database, you should consider adopting security mechanisms that will ensure you are always on the lookout for attacks and that you can actually avert them in case they happen.

Importance of databases

Now that you know the attacks that can bring down your database and how you can mitigate the attacks, it is now time to have a look at the importance of a database for any organization.

1. The Database Management System (DBMS), an Extension of Human Logic

The computational powers that data handlers and technicians alike endow to computers are simply the extension of humans’ power and ability to reason. So, a database that you design to manage human knowledge will improve your capacity to query, correlate and report the accumulated information of your company. Overseeing your organization with a well-developed DBMS is undoubtedly the best thing to do.

2. A Database Can Answer Lots of Questions with ease

 Meanwhile, John is getting worried, considering this is the umpteenth time that he has been asked for his email address during his first week of joining his company. What shocks him more is finding out that there is no central database in this new firm. Here, everyone seems to have developed their own spreadsheets, whereby the accuracy and completion levels are different. Simple data collection techniques such as master contact lists or database tables are ignored by the organization as they wrongly channel their energies towards putting out fires and be seen as productive. The wastage of time throughout the entire organization by workers seeking out such information can be quite surprising. However, a centralized database will make information easily accessible by all and can also provide quick answers to questions.

3. Some Difficult Questions Can Be Answered through Data Analytics

Being able to look into data and find helpful information is the reason for developing systems for data mining and analytics. Nonetheless, conventional databases have been tackling difficult questions for decades. For instance, you may want to know how many employees are qualified in a certain area. A simple look into a spreadsheet or a directory will easily provide the information that you are looking for. But what if you specifically locate qualified employees of a certain state who have five years of experience, are willing to relocate, and speak a certain foreign language? Sorting out data based on multiple specific details will require you to have a database management system. The more complex the search is, the more sophisticated your DBMS will need to be. A good system is one that provides helpful information with a few clicks of the mouse.

4. Information is overwhelming

Simplicity is the utmost sophistication and this is a great characteristic in all aspects of life. No one wants to be disturbed with unnecessary requirements or additional busywork as it will affect the work experience. However, a good database will offer a simple front end that provides an intuitive understanding of the user. More to that, it structures the data in such a way that humans can understand without too much difficulty. While the terminology and concepts in the data may be specific to the user’s own requirements, the user experience itself makes it possible to focus on the data instead of the specifics of the database links and forms. A well-organized database makes it possible to effectively manage information, thus, giving the user only what he needs at the time to get the job done properly.

5. Automation improves Efficiency

Normally, you will need to adopt automation in order to perform repetitive tasks that would take you much longer if done by hand. To prove how important automation is, take the case of the ENIAC, which created firing tables for military planners in a matter of minutes compared to the weeks required for human labor to complete a similar task. Additionally, Charles Babbage came up with a steam-powered solution to enable calculation of navigational charts. Personally, you count on your personal computer to handle tedious tasks that might have been time and labor intensive. Compiling inventory or other related information and making it available for queries and reports is unavoidable in today's business world. A quick search of the Google database provides instant results which are based on an analysis of millions of sources. For that reason, as your collection of data continues to grow, you will need more sophisticated automatic processes to find the level of efficiency that will enhance operations in your company. Remember, a DBMS is a tool that should be used over the long term to help you achieve the goals set out by your company. This explains why you need to take good care of this system. Doesn't it?

6. A DBMS outshines Manual Processes in a lot of ways

Data environments are influenced by data, hardware, software, people, and procedures. The advantages of using databases have been proven by many entities and can be related to certain characteristics of the DBMS. For example, while Excel spreadsheets and Access databases are only used by only one entity, realistic database management systems provide an opportunity for simultaneous access of multiple users. A database can be best defined as a single software application that may use many tables, forms, and reports, instead of numerous spreadsheets, which are owned and managed by a certain group of people throughout the organization. A good database is one that has proven to be a one-stop shop for bringing people and processes together. In addition, a database should even provide for simple effects like the consistency of spelling and syntax, as well as the elimination of so much duplicated effort.

7. Helps increase income and at the same time save the income generated

Database management systems play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of our general lives, both at home and in the workplace. Nonetheless, most corporate activities are centered on improving the profits and reducing working hours in a bid to achieve other objectives. With a DBMS, you no longer have to worry about making that extra coin and achieving other goals. As a matter of fact, you will notice that it was worth your time, money and effort to create the database management system. And this will be possible courtesy of its efficiency.

8. Improves the working environment

If there is one thing that employees dislike, is finding information whereas they could be using their productivity for other purposes. A DBMS will come in handy in providing the employees with a unique experience, whereby they can find accurate information that provides the necessary details. Moreover, the fact that you find specific details means that you will save precious time, which could have otherwise been wasted in trying to seek out the information.

9. Enhance accuracy

Getting the job done in the best way possible is determined by the accuracy levels you enjoy. A DBMS promises to provide unscathed accuracy which will go a long way in ensuring you achieve satisfactory results. In addition, the fact that there is room for accuracy means that you will not be overwhelmed with sorting information, which can affect your productivity. On the other hand, the database administrator should be able to format the data in a way that ensures easy retrieval to enable employees to make quick references that will enable them to provide the correct statistics.

10. Improves the quality of services/products

When adopting your database design, you should bear in mind the effects you want to achieve. The main aim of having a database administrator is to ensure that the company enjoys seamless operations. The database will go a long way in ensuring that you improve the operational standards of your company as you will be able to work with realistic information that you can count on to help enhance quality in tasks handling, which translates to better results.

Conclusion

Application of logic is important for every aspect of life and database management is not an exception to this rule. Adopting a Database Management system will make a large contribution towards the growth and sustainability of your company. However, it is important that you guard the database as it forms part of the backbone of your business. More to that, you should not be afraid of investing in a Database Management system, as it will prove to be a fruitful investment. Therefore, ensure that you seek services from a database administrator who has great database design skills. This will ensure that you get a highly secure and functional database system that will give you value for your money. In addition, it is important that you find a reputable or highly skilled database manager who will put in efforts that will ensure that your database is secure and maintains high standards that will boost the functionality of your employees, and at the same time create a conducive working environment. On that note, if you are grappling with issues of data storage and management and you want to solve this problem once and for all, you now have the right opportunity to do it. Simply create a database and enlist the services of a database designer to build a DBMS for you and a database administrator who will ensure the security of your company information!