Securing PostgreSQL: Authentication, Authorization, and Best Practices

Intermediate

🔐 PostgreSQL Security Best Practices

Security in PostgreSQL involves strong authentication, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring.

🔧 Authentication Configuration

Use pg_hba.conf to define client authentication methods:

  • 🔑 Password
  • 🏢 LDAP
  • 🔒 SSL

👥 Role-Based Access Control

Create roles with specific privileges:

CREATE ROLE analyst WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'securepass';
GRANT SELECT ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO analyst;

✅ Apply the principle of least privilege

🔒 Secure Communication

  • Enforce SSL connections for encrypted communication
  • Regularly update PostgreSQL to patch vulnerabilities

🧱 Structural Security

  • Use roles and schemas to enforce data segregation

🛡️ Auditing & Monitoring

  • Audit actions through logs
  • Monitor for unusual activity

🛠️ Following these best practices ensures your data remains protected against unauthorized access and security threats.