Let me start with something that might sound a little bold: Just having a network firewall today is not enough.
And if that’s all you’re relying on to protect your data, you’re more vulnerable than you think.
I’ve spoken to countless teams, from startups to enterprises, and the most common response I hear when I ask about data security is: “We’ve got a network firewall in place.”
Network firewalls are no longer the safety net we once relied on. If an attacker breaches the network layer, they can directly access your databases. A database firewall adds a critical layer of protection by monitoring and controlling SQL traffic, helping detect and block suspicious activity before it reaches your sensitive data.
That’s where a Database Firewall comes in: Your Second Line of Defence
A Database Firewall provides a critical layer of protection directly at the data source, stopping threats before they can cause damage.
By Prabir Kundu
AVP, Pre Sales and Cloud Platform Management Services Path
Think of it this way: a network firewall is like locking the front door. But what if the attacker is already inside?
A Database Firewall sits closer to your customer data, financial records, IP, and internal logs, and monitors, filters, and blocks suspicious database activity in real-time.
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average data breach cost in India alone is ₹17.9 crore ($2.2 million), with a global average of $4.45 million. A staggering 82% of breaches involve data stored in databases.
Yet most businesses only secure the perimeter and leave the core exposed.
Even with a Network Firewall in Place, you still need a Database Firewall:
- Network firewalls can’t understand SQL, cannot detect malicious SQL commands, or distinguish between a valid and harmful query. Whereas a database firewall can inspect queries and block harmful commands.
- Insiders easily bypass network firewalls as they are designed to block only external attacks. Database firewalls, on the other hand, monitor privileged users and prevent internal misuse.
- Web application vulnerabilities (like SQL injection) are invisible to network firewalls. Database Firewalls inspect SQL traffic, detect abnormal queries, and block attack attempts before reaching the database.
- Unpatched databases stay exposed even with network firewalls. Database Firewalls can block exploit patterns targeting known CVEs, even if the database isn’t yet patched.
That’s why you need a second layer that is intelligent, behavior-aware, and built specifically for the database.
Oracle 23ai: Built-In Protection That Thinks Ahead
With Oracle 23ai, organizations get an advanced in-built Database Firewall with no separate deployment required.
It’s designed to:
- Detect anomalies in real time
- Log suspicious behavior
- Block unauthorized access at the SQL level
- Work alongside your network firewall for layered protection
And since it’s part of Oracle’s next-gen autonomous database framework, you get AI-powered security that adapts, learning patterns, and proactively strengthens your defenses.
MySQL Enterprise Firewall: Tailored Defense for Commercial Deployments
MySQL Enterprise Firewall, available with select commercial editions, adds a vital defense layer against database-specific threats like SQL injection and insider attacks, risks often missed by traditional firewalls. It monitors SQL traffic in real time, focusing directly on database interactions.
Its flexible modes enhance protection:
- ·Allow Mode: Runs only approved SQL queries.
- Block Mode: Stops unapproved or suspicious statements.
- Detect Mode: Flags unknown queries for review while allowing execution.
It integrates seamlessly without altering existing applications, boosting security without disruption.
As cyber threats evolve and insider risks grow, CISOs must look beyond traditional perimeter defenses.
Oracle Audit Vault and Database Firewall (AVDF) offers a proactive, unified approach to safeguarding both Oracle and non-Oracle databases.
Here’s what CISOs need to know:
- Real-Time SQL Firewall Protection Instantly blocks unauthorized SQL activity before it reaches the database.
- Centralized Audit Data Collection & Retention Consolidates audit logs across databases for secure, long-term storage.
- Streamlined Compliance and Reporting Simplifies regulatory reporting with prebuilt, customizable compliance reports.
- Privileged User Monitoring & Risk Mitigation Tracks high-risk user actions to prevent misuse and insider threats.
My Final Thoughts
Databases are a prime target for attackers. Relying solely on a network firewall is no longer enough. If someone bypasses your network, then what’s protecting your database? It’s time to go beyond the network firewall.
Let your network firewall be the guard at the gate, but let a database firewall be the shield at the vault!