Postgres Audit

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1. Certainly! Here’s a checklist you can use for a security review of PostgreSQL. This list covers various aspects from configuration to user management and network security:

   PostgreSQL Security Review Checklist

   1. Configuration Settings

   • Ensure listen_addresses is set to localhost or specific IP addresses instead of *.
   • Check if port is not the default (5432); consider using a custom port.
   • Verify max_connections and shared_buffers are set appropriately for your workload.
   • Ensure log_connections and log_disconnections are enabled for tracking user activity.
   • Set password_encryption to scram-sha-256 or at least md5 for better security.
   • Review pg_hba.conf for proper client authentication and restrict access by IP, user, and database.

   2. User and Role Management

   • Review and limit superuser privileges; only grant them to trusted personnel.
   • Ensure all users have strong, unique passwords and enforce password policies.
   • Regularly review user roles and permissions, removing any unnecessary privileges.
   • Use CREATE ROLE and GRANT statements to define roles for specific actions and limit access as needed.

   3. Database Security

   • Ensure sensitive data is encrypted using TLS for connections.
   • Use pgcrypto for encrypting data at the application level if needed.
   • Regularly backup databases and store backups securely, preferably encrypted.
   • Utilize logical replication for high availability and disaster recovery.

   4. Auditing and Logging

   • Enable detailed logging to monitor database activity and potential security issues.
   • Use the pg_audit extension for enhanced auditing capabilities.
   • Analyze logs regularly for unusual activities or unauthorized access attempts.

   5. Patch Management

   • Keep PostgreSQL and its extensions up to date with the latest security patches.
   • Monitor the PostgreSQL release notes for any critical vulnerabilities or updates.

   6. Network Security

   • Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or secure tunnels (SSH) for remote database connections.
   • Implement firewalls to restrict access to PostgreSQL from unwanted sources.
   • Utilize network segmentation to isolate the database server from other parts of the infrastructure.

   7. Data Protection

   • Regularly Audit database schemas and configurations for vulnerabilities.
   • Consider using row-level security policies or views to restrict access to sensitive data.
   • Implement data retention and deletion policies to minimize lingering sensitive information.

   8. Monitoring and Response

   • Set up alerts for suspicious activities (e.g., failed logins, new user creation).
   • Use monitoring tools (like pgAdmin, Datadog, or Prometheus) to keep an eye on performance and security metrics.

   9. Documentation and Education

   • Maintain thorough documentation of the database environment, configurations, and user roles.
   • Train staff on security best practices and the importance of safeguarding sensitive data.

   Conclusion

   Make sure to regularly revisit this checklist and update your security measures as your environment and products evolve. Security is an ongoing process, and proactive management is key to protecting your PostgreSQL database environment.

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