Check out this blog post from our guest writer, Gilad David Maayan, covering 5 best practices for cloud database management.
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In a world in which information has become a critical currency for individual, organizational, and global advancement, databases have turned into data bank accounts. Like regular bank accounts, databases require proper security and maintenance.
While databases can be operated on-premise, 95% of U.S-based organizations have chosen to migrate most of their applications and infrastructure to the cloud. A cloud database contains data, either in structured or unstructured formats and can be located on a public, private or hybrid cloud platform.
As the global exchange of data grows exponentially with the number of devices and systems that transmit and create data, the strain on databases increases. The more data the organization acquires, the more controls are needed to operate the flow of data.
Database management encompasses any action taken for the purpose of organizing, maintaining, and analyzing data processes. Database management helps organizations control data and give it meaning at any stage of the data lifecycle.
Database management tasks often cover some or all of the following objectives:
Nowadays, database management systems cover many tasks and compliment the overall data infrastructure of the organization. Organizations can choose a ready-made database management system, or create a customized solution according to their requirements.
To effectively develop, monitor, and manage the database infrastructure, organizations often implement a number of methods. Usually, the organization uses one or more database management system (DBMS) software programs that serve as the core foundation of the data infrastructure.
The two most popular open source database management systems are:
While the two systems have free versions, organizations looking for added functionalities can choose from the various enterprise versions of MySQL, or one of the available Postgres management solutions.
A cloud data management strategy serves as a roadmap that illustrates all the components in the overall cloud data management infrastructure.
The ideal would be to create a strategy before migrating any organizational resources to the cloud, to ensure that the cloud architecture fits the needs of the organization. While one organization may benefit from a quick architecture such as the “lift and shift”, others may prefer to scale on a budget through the “drop and shop” architecture.
A cloud data management strategy contains the fundamental principals of the management of the data and can help organizations standardize every aspect of data management. From performance, efficiency, security, and privacy, to analysis and business intelligence (BI). Once you set up a strategy for the ongoing operations of the data, control becomes an integrated cog in your data machine.
The term data at rest refers to inactive data that lies unused in storage. While inactive data may not seem important enough to warrant information security expenses, data at rest is often targeted by cybercriminals. Data at rest contains information that may expose the location of sensitive information such as personal and financial information, healthcare information, and trade secrets.
Organizations can implement two measures of security methods to protect data at rest:
Identity and access management (IAM) standardizes the procedures the organization implements to ensure only authorized parties can gain access to company-owned resources.
IAM enables the management of user roles according to the following criteria:
IAM provides organizations with the control needed to ensure data is secure from unauthorized parties. IAM helps companies prevent the theft of trade secrets by stripping ex-employees of their privileges. Additionally, a company can use IAM to protect against outward attacks by setting up controls that prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to the data. Examples of dedicated IAM tools:
The term data in transit refers to data that actively moves between locations across networks, storage repositories, and the Internet. While the data travels from one location to another it is vulnerable to attacks. Cybercriminals can intercept the data during that time and steal valuable information. Here are the two common methods of protecting data in transit:
Delegating database management tasks to automation systems help data professionals prioritize tasks in an efficient manner. Instead of performing low-level tasks, database professionals can set up an automation system that clears up time and energy for the more important and complex areas of their work. Automation can be configured to a variety of objectives, such as:
Different database Management systems offer different features and levels of customization. Ensure you choose a system that fits your needs and integrates well with your resources.
Database management is a complex but rewarding job. Done right, database management can provide a comprehensive solution for maintaining, protecting, and analyzing the company data. Better database management translates into better analytics.
Database management is in charge of sorting through the vast amounts of data and turning it into meaningful and useful information that helps increase sales, improve productivity, and promote innovation.
Data security compliance in the cloud - how Aiven approaches security issues.
