- Authentication and Authorization:
- Use Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) authentication for better security.
- Implement firewall rules to control access to your database.
- Assign minimal permissions to users based on their roles (principle of least privilege).
- Encryption:
- Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to protect data at rest.
- Use Always Encrypted to secure sensitive data in transit.
- Consider client-side encryption for additional protection.
- Auditing and Monitoring:
- Enable Azure SQL Auditing to track database activity.
- Set up Azure Monitor to receive alerts and insights.
- Regularly review logs and audit trails.
- Network Security:
- Isolate your database using Virtual Network Service Endpoints.
- Restrict public access and use private endpoints.
- Patch Management:
- Keep your database engine up to date with the latest security patches.
- Regularly review vulnerability assessments.
- Backup and Recovery:
- Implement automated backups and test recovery procedures (remember a backup is only theoretically there unless it has been tested and proven to work).
- Store backups conforming to the 3-2-1 Backup Rule explained below (do not assume your backups are safe just because they are in the cloud).
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Ensuring Data Resilience
The 3-2-1 Rule is a robust strategy that emphasizes redundancy, resilience, and data availability. Here’s what it entails:
- Three Copies of Your Data:
- Maintain the original data and create at least two additional copies.
- Two Different Types of Media for Storage:
- Store your data on distinct forms of media (e.g., hard drives, tapes) to enhance redundancy.
- At Least One Copy Off-Site:
- Safeguard one backup copy in an off-site location, separate from your primary data and on-site backups.
By adhering to this rule, you mitigate single points of failure, protect against corruption, and ensure data safety even in unexpected events or disasters
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