Step 1: Enable SQL Server Authentication & Configure Strong Authentication Methods
Mixed Authentication Mode: Ensure SQL Server is set to Mixed Mode Authentication (SQL Server and Windows Authentication).
Strong Passwords: Use strong, complex passwords for SQL Server logins. The password should meet the following criteria:
At least 8 characters long.
Contain a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
Disable Default Accounts: Disable any unused or default SQL Server logins such as sa, or rename them and use strong passwords.
Step 2: Limit Server Permissions
Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks.
Create custom roles for different user groups (e.g., database readers, writers, admins).
Avoid granting sysadmin or db_owner roles unless absolutely necessary.
Use Windows Authentication: Whenever possible, use Windows Authentication (trusted connections) for login instead of SQL logins, as this uses the operating system’s security model, which is generally more secure.
Step 3: Encryption of Data
Encrypt Sensitive Data: Use Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to encrypt the entire database.
This protects data at rest (when stored on disk).
Encrypt Connections: Enable SSL/TLS encryption for SQL Server connections to protect data in transit.
You can configure this through SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Step 4: Audit Database Access and Activity
SQL Server Audit: Enable auditing to track database activities and detect unauthorized access or actions.
This can include logging login attempts, access to sensitive tables, or changes to security settings.
Configure audit logs to store events such as successful and failed logins, role changes, and privilege assignments.
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