Kevin Casady Hanna Short BJ Rollinson
Centralized and Structured collection of data stored in a computer system An electronic filing system Easy access to information
Provide a convenient means of storing large amounts of data. Quick access to information allowing for sorting, searching, viewing and manipulating. Efficiency.
Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP is an application system that integrates a company’s business processes and financial data in one platform. Massive Database that encompasses the entire business operations.
There is a shortage of staff members trained in ERP security. Implementers pay inadequate attention to ERP security during deployment. ERP tools for security audit are inadequate. The customization of ERP systems to firms inhibits the development of standardized security solutions.
Data loss can cost a company significant losses in revenue, integrity, and bring on unwanted litigation. As noted in a 2007 survey, 85 percent of businesses have experienced a data security breach. The estimated breaches have cost US $182 per compromised record. Data breaches remain the leading cause of financial losses. A survey conducted in 2007 revealed that 40 percent of companies are not monitoring their databases for suspicious activity. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
External ◦ Gaining access from outside the company. Internal ◦ Employee who should not have access, gains access ◦ Employee abuses their access privileges Computer Crime and Security Survey: ◦ Insider abuse of net access- 59 percent ◦ Unauthorized access to information- 25 percent ◦ Theft of customer or employee data- 17 percent
Perimeter Controls ◦ Keep people on the outside from gaining access. User identity and access management ◦ Who is allowed to do what. ◦ Ensure things are as they are supposed to be. Application systems ◦ Independent audit software tools. Privileged Users ◦ Physical and logical controls within and outside their sphere of operational control are needed to provide evidence of their actions.
Review prior report if there is one. Obtain important information from database environment Talk to database administrators Identify significant risks and key controls that mitigate these risks.
Security patches are applied in a timely manner. Processes are in place to regularly monitor security on the system. Operating system is secured and database files are protected (passwords, permissions, encryption) The database server is physically protected (located in a secure location)
Users are restricted to information required to perform job. Assure that backup and recovery strategies exist. Controls are in place to keep database information secure over the network.
After testing, the auditor may send out a questionnaire to ensure that their test results are aligned the internal auditor findings.
Nair, Sushila. The Art of Database Monitoring Le Grand, Charles & Sarel, Dan. Database Security, Compliance, and Audit Musaji, Yusuf. ERP Post Implementation Problems ISACA. Oracle Database Security, Audit and Control Features. Stephens, Richard. Importance of Database Uptime. July hop/citmla.htm