What Is Database Security?

Database security is the process of simply protecting the data from unauthorized usage. Unauthorized usage includes data access by database users who should have access to part of the database, but not all parts. This protection also includes the act of policing against unauthorized connectivity and distribution of privileges. There are many user levels in a database, from the database creator, individuals responsible for maintaining the database (such as the DBA), database programmers, and end users. End users, although individuals with the most limited access, are the users for which the database exists. Each user has a different level of access to the database and should be limited to the fewest number of privileges needed to perform his or her particular job.