Postgres Audit

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1. Sure! Here’s a checklist for a security review of PostgreSQL to help ensure that your database is secure:

   PostgreSQL Security Review Checklist

   1. Access Control
   2. Ensure that only authorized users have access to the database.
   3. Use roles and permissions appropriately to limit access to sensitive data.

   4. Regularly review user roles and privileges.

   5. Authentication

   6. Configure secure authentication methods (e.g., use scram-sha-256 instead of MD5).
   7. Disable trust authentication in production environments.

   8. Enforce password complexity and expiration policies.

   9. Network Security

   10. Restrict database access to specific IP addresses or networks using pg_hba.conf.
   11. Use SSL for encrypted connections. Ensure SSL certificates are valid and properly configured.

   12. Implement firewalls to limit incoming connections to the database server.

   13. Data Encryption

   14. Consider encrypting sensitive data at rest using file system encryption or PostgreSQL’s built-in features (e.g., pgcrypto for column-level encryption).

   15. Use TLS/SSL for encrypting data in transit.

   16. Logging and Monitoring

   17. Enable PostgreSQL logging to capture queries, connections, and errors for auditing.
   18. Monitor logs for unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.

   19. Consider using third-party tools for real-time monitoring and alerts.

   20. Database Configuration

   21. Disable unnecessary features and extensions that are not needed.
   22. Review configuration settings in postgresql.conf for security (e.g., log_connections, log_disconnections, log_statement).

   23. Set appropriate resource limits (e.g., max_connections, work_mem).

   24. Backup and Recovery

   25. Regularly back up databases and verify the integrity of the backups.
   26. Ensure backups are encrypted and stored securely.

   27. Test the recovery process periodically to ensure data can be restored quickly.

   28. Patch Management

   29. Keep PostgreSQL and all its dependencies up to date with the latest security patches.

   30. Monitor the PostgreSQL mailing list or website for known vulnerabilities.

   31. SQL Injection Protection

   32. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to protect against SQL injection attacks.

   33. Review application code for any places where untrusted data could be executed as SQL.

   34. Database Fleets and Clusters

       • If using PostgreSQL in cloud environments, review network security groups and cloud provider security best practices.
       • Ensure that any replication or clustering configurations are secure.

   35. Database Object Security

       • Limit the use of public schemas.
       • Regularly review and clean up unused schemas, tables, and other objects.

   36. Security Policies

       • Document security policies and procedures for managing access and permissions.
       • Train staff on security best practices and data protection compliance.

   Final Thoughts

   Conduct regular security audits and reviews as part of your database management practices. Adjust your security measures as necessary based on the evolving threat landscape and compliance requirements.

   Feel free to customize the checklist based on your specific environment and needs!

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