Database Encryption Methods

Database Encryption Methods

Database Encryption Overview

Database encryption protects sensitive data in databases from unauthorized access, theft, or breach. Encryption methods include Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), column-level encryption, and application-level encryption with different trade-offs.

Database Encryption

Transparent Data Encryption

TDE encrypts entire database files at rest without application changes. Database engine handles encryption/decryption transparently, protecting against storage theft. TDE is implemented by major databases: SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL.

Column-Level Encryption

Column encryption protects specific sensitive fields like SSN, credit cards. Data is encrypted in database, applications decrypt when authorized. Provides granular protection but requires application awareness and key management.

Application-Level Encryption

Applications encrypt data before database storage, providing end-to-end protection. Database sees only ciphertext, preventing database administrator access, but complicates queries, indexing, and performance optimization.

Implementation Considerations

Consider performance impact (encryption overhead), key management complexity, backup encryption, compliance requirements, and query functionality. TDE offers easiest implementation, column/application encryption provide stronger security with higher complexity.

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