Information security with special reference to database interconnectivity.

Information can be considered a company’s most valued asset and should be protected as such. In the past, companies allowed very limited access to corporate information. Today, the rapid growth of the Internet increases the importance of connecting to existing databases. Access to such web-enabled databases, containing sensitive information such as credit card numbers must be made available only to those who need it. The security of web-enabled databases is challenged, as huge user populations access corporate information, past traditional perimeters. Providing a secure web-enabled database environment is not as simple as creating a few dynamic pages linked to a secured database. As a web-enabled database is very sophisticated, consisting of various applications in front of the database, it is vulnerable to attack. Furthermore, since most malicious intrusions occur from inside, defences such as firewalls, intrusion detection and virus scanning provide limited protection. The principle aim of this study was to consider security services and mechanisms that would provide protection to web-enabled databases. As database security has been a well-researched topic ever since the first databases were used, it was decided to investigate whether traditional database security could possibly provide a basic framework to be used when approaching the security of web-enabled databases. An investigation was made into nine current state database security services and their associated mechanisms. Additional services and mechanisms were identified, that could provide protection in the new environment. The integrated service provided by web-enabled databases was contrasted to the service provided by current state database security. A model was developed that illustrated how these services and mechanisms could be applied to create a secure web-enabled database. The study was brought to an end with a conclusion on the security that can be attained by web-enabled databases. Further problem areas, which could be researched in the future, were touched upon briefly.Prof. J.H.P. Elof