Azure Database for MySQL Security

Securing Your Azure Database for MySQL

Implementing robust security measures is paramount to protect your sensitive data. Azure Database for MySQL offers a suite of features and best practices to ensure your database environment remains secure against threats.

Core Security Principles

Azure Database for MySQL adheres to a layered security approach, focusing on:

Network Security: Isolating your database and controlling access.
Authentication & Authorization: Verifying users and enforcing least privilege.
Data Protection: Encrypting data at rest and in transit.
Threat Detection & Prevention: Monitoring for suspicious activities.

Network Security

Firewall Rules

Control access to your Azure Database for MySQL server by configuring firewall rules. You can set specific IP address ranges allowed to connect, ensuring only authorized networks can reach your database.

Configure server-level firewall rules via the Azure portal or Azure CLI.
Set client IP address restrictions.
Enable/disable access for Azure services.

Virtual Network Service Endpoints

Enhance security by restricting access to your database server to only your virtual network. This prevents public internet access to your database, significantly reducing the attack surface.

Integrate your Azure Database for MySQL server with Azure Virtual Networks.
Enable service endpoints for enhanced network isolation.

Authentication & Authorization

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Authentication

Leverage Azure AD for centralized identity and access management. This allows you to manage database users and permissions using your existing Azure AD identities, simplifying administration and improving security.

Enable Azure AD authentication for your MySQL server.
Assign roles to Azure AD users and groups.
Support for service principals for application access.

MySQL Native Authentication

Continue to use traditional MySQL username and password authentication for compatibility or specific use cases.

Create and manage MySQL users and roles.
Implement strong password policies.

Data Protection

Encryption at Rest

All Azure Database for MySQL instances are automatically encrypted at rest using AES-256, protecting your data from unauthorized physical access.

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is enabled by default.
Data is encrypted on disk, including transaction logs and backups.

Encryption in Transit

Secure data transferred between your client applications and the database server using SSL/TLS encryption.

Enforce SSL/TLS connections by configuring the require_secure_transport parameter.
Download SSL certificates for client-side verification.

Threat Detection & Monitoring

Azure Security Center Integration

Monitor your database for potential threats and vulnerabilities with Azure Security Center. Receive actionable recommendations to improve your security posture.

Enable advanced threat protection features.
Receive security alerts for anomalous activities.

Auditing

Enable auditing to track database events, such as logins, schema changes, and data modifications. This provides a historical record for security analysis and compliance.

Configure audit log destination (e.g., Azure Storage, Azure Event Hubs).
Define the types of events to audit.

Best Practices for Security

Principle of Least Privilege

Grant users only the necessary permissions to perform their tasks. Avoid granting broad administrative privileges unless absolutely required.

Regularly Review Access

Periodically review user accounts and their assigned permissions to ensure they are still appropriate and remove any unnecessary access.

Secure Credentials

Do not embed database credentials directly in application code. Use secure methods like Azure Key Vault for managing secrets.

Keep Software Updated

While Azure manages the underlying infrastructure, ensure your applications connecting to the database are using secure, up-to-date libraries and drivers.