13 Safety Best Practices for MongoDB

Securing a MongoDB database is as much about the servers doing the work as the users. Most security breaches occur because of a vulnerability on the client side rather than an issue with the server. As powerful as MongoDB is, as with any software, it can be vulnerable to hacking when/if safety and security are not a priority.

Here are some MongoDB safety best practices to follow as you build your database from start to finish.

Use Role-Based Access Control

With the RBAC framework (aka role-based access control), you define permissions for each user. They are all assigned a role in the database. This strengthens the security of MongoDB as a service, ensuring no user can access every nook and cranny.

Regularly Review User Permissions

Custom roles can be created to fit specific users, eliminating overprivileged access in all forms. That said, roles change. Regularly review and adjust these permissions over time. For example, individuals no longer at your company should have access to something other than MongoDB. Keep an up-to-date record of user privileges.

Enforce Strong Passwords

Administrators should encourage strong passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. To complicate users’ choices further, consider a minimum password length.

Use Additional Password Security Methods

After a user chooses a strong password, you can use other security methods to reinforce password protection. Implement password rotation, requiring users to change passwords periodically to avoid compromised password risk. Use account lockouts after a certain number of failed login attempts. These are two of the most effective password security methods to ensure no password is hacked.

Authenticate Your Users

There are many ways to ensure user access to your database. SCRAM is MongoDB’s default method. It uses a challenge-response system with salted hashing to store and validate user credentials.

X.509 certificate authentication checks a user through TLS/SSL certificates instead of username and password. This method might be suitable for environments where higher security is needed.

LDAP authenticates users and centralizes management within an organization’s directory. Kerberos is a network protocol that ensures secure integration with existing Kerberos-based systems in MongoDB.

Complete Routine Auditing

Auditing is pivotal to maintaining visibility over MongoDB deployments. It proactively detects threats, supports investigations, and facilitates incident responses. Auditing also ensures data security compliance. To minimize performance impact, consider selective auditing to only look at specific user actions, roles, databases, or collections.

Implement Disk Encryption

Data encryption at rest is only used in MongoDB environments. If it’s not, implement disk encryption at the operating system or storage level. This would encrypt the entire disk volume, including all database files.

Enable TLS/SSL Encryption

TLS/SSL encryption secures data in transit across all communications between clients and servers. Enabling this feature requires you to generate and configure the relevant certificates and ensure all connections use secure channels.

Secure Encryption Key Management

MongoDB safety best practices ensure proper encryption key management. The encryption keys should be stored in a dedicated Key Management System (KMS) or Hardware Security Module (HSM).

Do not embed them in application code or config files. Rotate encryption keys regularly. Apply access controls to encryption keys, ensuring only authorized personnel can access them. Maintain a secure backup and recovery strategy for them if you lose access.

Handle Sensitive Data with Additional Security

Sensitive data requires more security than encryption. To protect sensitive data, limit collection and storage. Apply field-level encryption to encrypt specific fields within a document before sending it to a database.

Consider data masking or redaction to complete data analysis or share datasets. Establish data monitoring and auditing to detect anomalies and security incidents. These are all techniques you can use to minimize a potential breach.

Carefully Secure the Network Layer

Implement strict firewall rules, employ secure remote connection practices, and closely monitor network traffic. An organization can dramatically enhance MongoDB security by using these techniques, reducing unauthorized access. When examining network traffic, look for unauthorized connection attempts, suspicious traffic patterns, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

Apply Security Patches and Updates

When a security patch or update is released for MongoDB, do not delay installing it. These software updates address security vulnerabilities and enhance functionality. Establish a routine patch management process while ensuring updates do not disrupt operations.

Commit to Routine Security Assessments

Regular security assessments are necessary for MongoDB. Engage in penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. These tests provide insight into how safe your database is and allow you to resolve security issues before an unauthorized party exploits them.