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Missing Server Side Encryption

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  1. Missing Server Side Encryption
    1. Description
    2. Impact
    3. Scenarios
    4. Prevention
    5. Testing

Description

Server-side encryption (SSE) is a technique used to protect data stored on a server or a database by encrypting it before it is written to disk. It provides an extra layer of security by ensuring that sensitive data is protected even if the server is compromised.

In server-side encryption, the encryption and decryption of data are handled on the server side, typically by the server’s operating system or third-party encryption software. This means that when data is sent to the server, it is encrypted before it is stored, and when it is accessed, it is decrypted by the server before being sent back to the client.

Using server-side encryption can help prevent data breaches and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Additionally, server-side encryption can help meet data protection and privacy compliance requirements, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Impact

Suppose a system without server-side encryption is breached. In that case, attackers can easily obtain and exploit the sensitive information, which could result in a data leak, reputational damage, and other financial loss from criminal activity due to substandard security measures in place. Furthermore, this missing security measure can violate data privacy laws, which may lead to legal consequences.

Without server-side encryption, your company could face worse complications and consequences after a data breach, including:

  • Compliance violations: Depending on the industry you operate in, you may be required to comply with specific regulations and standards for data privacy and security. Not having SSE can lead to non-compliance, resulting in penalties and legal issues.

  • Loss of trust: If your customers’ sensitive data is compromised, they may lose trust in your organization. This can lead to lost business and reputational damage that can take a long time to repair.

  • Financial impact: In addition to the direct costs of remediation and legal fees, a data breach can also have indirect financial impacts such as lost revenue, decreased productivity, and increased insurance premiums.

Scenarios

Depressingly common examples of missing server-side encryption can be data such as passwords being stored in a database without encryption. This is a common problem found in many applications, even in 2023.

Prevention

To prevent missing server-side encryption, it’s as simple as implementing it and following best practices.

There are many ways to implement server-side encryption, but the most common is to use a library that provides it. For example, if you are using a database, you can use the built-in encryption features of the database. If you are using a programming language, you can use a library that provides encryption.

Conduct regular audits for servers to identify vulnerabilities and areas where your server may be at risk. This can help you prevent data loss or theft before it occurs. Typically, most servers now come with built-in encryption features, but ensuring that they are enabled and configured correctly is still essential.

Testing

While building an application, it is essential to identify all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), sensitive personal information, or data assessed as likely to be subject to the EU’s GDPR and other privacy regulations.

To efficiently test for missing server-side encryption, you need to know about the data stored on the server and how it works. Audits can be used to gain a comprehensive analysis of your server’s encryption protocols, configuration, and vulnerabilities, as well as some testing tools which can be used to test for missing server-side encryption.