PostgreSQL for Public Sector Organizations

PostgreSQL offers robust security, cost-efficiency, high performance, scalability and compliance with government regulations, making it ideal for public sector applications.

EnterpriseDB provides security features such as data encryption, access controls and regular security updates, as well as the following enhanced security measures:

• Zero Trust Framework “Ready”
• Role Based Access Control
• Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
• Column & Row Level Encryption
• Advanced Audit Logging
• DoD Iron Bank Approved
• SQL Injection Protection
• Password Policy Enforcement
• Advanced Data Redaction
• CIS Security Benchmarks

This ensures compliance with standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and FedRAMP, alongside the following compliance standards for the public sector:

• Validated National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2
• Approved Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Information Guide (STIG)
• Section 508 Compliant with active Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
• Multiple Authority to Operate (ATOs) granted for Defense and Intelligence Classified Networks

Migrating from a legacy system to PostgreSQL involves several carefully planned steps to ensure a smooth and secure transition. Get more information on the steps, tools and processes you’ll need for a successful migration: Oracle Migration Steps and Challenges

Because of its high security, operational flexibility and easy scalability, PostgreSQL is used by agencies worldwide.

In the United States, agencies such as the U.S. Navy, the FBI, Wharton Research Data Services and Indiana State University use PostgreSQL.

Outside the United States, public sector agencies such as the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism use PostgreSQL.

PostgreSQL is released under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL Licence. There is no fee, even for use in commercial software products.

PostgreSQL is not FIPS compliant by default. However, the EnterpriseDB Cryptographic Module, deployed in the EDB Postgres Advanced Server database, has been awarded the FIPS 140-2 certification by the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This certification means the encryption in EDB Postgres is in full compliance with the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 standard after being tested to meet the benchmark by a laboratory authorized by the government to make such determinations. While the EnterpriseDB Cryptographic Module will provide FIPS 140-2 validated encryption in the distribution of EDB Postgres for Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux installations will rely upon the RHEL OpenSSL FIPS compliant module.

To protect data in PostgreSQL, consider implementing the following security measures:

1. Regularly update PostgreSQL to ensure you have the latest security patches and fixes.
2. Enforce strong password policies for database users. Encourage the use of complex passwords and avoid default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Implement the principle of least privilege. Grant only necessary permissions to users and limit access to sensitive data and system resources.
4. Configure firewalls to restrict access to PostgreSQL ports (typically 5432) to trusted IP addresses and networks.
5. Enable encryption for data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest (storage-level encryption). Use SSL certificates for host authentication and consider encrypting specific columns containing sensitive data.
6. Utilize secure authentication methods such as SCRAM or GSSAPI, and avoid using plaintext authentication methods like trust or password.
7. Enable auditing and logging features in PostgreSQL to monitor and track user activity, database access, and potential security breaches.
8. Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure data integrity and availability in case of security incidents or data loss.
9. Review and configure PostgreSQL settings and parameters to adhere to security best practices, such as disabling unnecessary features and hardening the server configuration.
10. Keep the underlying operating system and dependencies up to date to mitigate vulnerabilities that could affect PostgreSQL's security.
11. Deploy monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems to detect suspicious activities and potential security threats in real-time.
12. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security weaknesses in your PostgreSQL deployment.

By implementing these security best practices, you can significantly enhance the security posture of your PostgreSQL environment and protect your data from unauthorized access, breaches, and other security threats. For more information, check out: https://www.enterprisedb.com/postgresql-best-practices-encryption-monitoring

While PostgreSQL is a powerful and versatile database system, it does have some disadvantages:

• Complex configuration: Initial setup and tuning can be complex, requiring a good understanding of the system.
• Learning curve: For users and administrators new to PostgreSQL, the learning curve can be steep due to its rich feature set.
• Limited built-in tools: Compared to some commercial databases, PostgreSQL has fewer built-in management and monitoring tools, though many third-party options are available.
• Migration complexity: Migrating from other database systems to PostgreSQL can be complex and may require significant effort to address compatibility issues.