• Classroom
  • Online, Instructor-Led
Course Description

DISA’s Database STIG, in conjunction with both generic and product-specific checklists, provides a comprehensive listing of requirements and needs for improving and maintaining the security of Database Management Systems within the Department of Defense. This course fills in the context, background, and best practices for fulfilling those requirements and needs. As with all of our courses, we maintain tight synchronization between the latest DISA releases and our materials. The close ties between this STIG and the Applications Security and Development STIG are reflected in the coverage of application issues within the context of this course. A key component to our coverage of DISA’s Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGS), this course is a companion course with several developer-oriented courses and seminars.

Database Security is an intense database security training course essential for DBAs, QA, Testing, and other personnel who need to deliver secure database applications and manage secure databases within the DoD. In addition to teaching basic skills, this course digs deep into sound processes and practices that apply to the entire software development lifecycle. Perhaps just as significantly, students learn about current, real examples that illustrate the potential consequences of not following these best practices.

Data, databases, and related resources are at the heart of the DoD’s IT infrastructures, and must be protected accordingly. In this course, students repeatedly attack and then defend various assets associated with a fully-functional database. This approach illustrates the mechanics of how to secure databases in the most practical of terms.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the consequences for not properly handling untrusted data such as denial of service, cross-site scripting, and injections
  • Be able to review and test databases to determine the existence of and effectiveness of layered defenses and required checks
  • Prevent and defend the many potential vulnerabilities associated with untrusted data
  • Understand the concepts and terminology behind supporting, designing, and deploying secure databases
  • Appreciate the magnitude of the problems associated with data security and the potential risks associated with those problems
  • Understand the currently accepted best practices for supporting the many security needs of databases.
  • Understand the vulnerabilities associated with authentication and authorization within the context of databases and database applications
  • Understand the dangers and mechanisms behind Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Injection attacks
  • Perform both static reviews and dynamic database testing to uncover vulnerabilities
  • Design and develop strong, robust authentication and authorization implementations
  • Understand the fundamentals of Encryption as well as how it can be used as part of the defensive infrastructure for data

Framework Connections

The materials within this course focus on the NICE Framework Task, Knowledge, and Skill statements identified within the indicated NICE Framework component(s):

Feedback

If you would like to provide feedback for this course, please e-mail the NICCS SO at NICCS@hq.dhs.gov.