Tips for container, DNS & database security

TL;DR style notes from articles I read today.

3 steps toward improving container security

• Vet the use of code from online sources. Use discovery tools to manage and scale up containers securely with runtime protection.
• Focus on how you build access rules and permissions. Understand the level of granularity needed right from day one to build this.
• Harden the container host with policies to prevent resource abuse. Use access control groups, and run containers with read-only images.
• Secure content inside containers by limiting Linux OS features running within it.
• Enforce image source integrity protection to track content changes and determine who made them.

Full post here, 5 mins read

Five strategies to remove single points of DNS failure

• Stay aware of trends that can compromise the 13 root name servers.
• Choose a top-level domain more likely to stay up under large-scale attacks or software faults, unlikely to change hands and with significant investment in infrastructure.
• Choose a DNS provider that uses Anycast and is large and scalable; use a different company to service your endpoints.
• Keep track of expiration dates of domains and SSL certificates.
• Don’t couple your endpoints and DNS zone control in one provider.

Full post here, 11 mins read

Secure databases in complex backend systems with these 5 best practices

• Keep application and database servers on different physical machines, with a high-performance host for the apps & high-level security for databases.
• Set up web application firewalls, and anti-malware & anti-ransomware solutions for the database server and review them regularly. Turn off any services not frequently used.
• Encrypt data residing on servers with a private key and also encrypt before transit.
• Limit the number of users accessing the database. Allow access only when required. Maintain and monitor activity logs. Keep database credentials hashed and salted.
• Patch the OS and third-party software, APIs and plug-ins using the latest versions. Remove or deactivate unused apps.
• Schedule regular backups and use a database proxy to accept requests only from trusted sources.


Full post here, 6 mins read

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