Native DB Encryption vs Third-party Enterprise Encryption. How do you choose what’s going to keep your data safe?

A cyber attack on Fujitsu last year allowed outside access to emails sent through a Fujitsu-based email system, after which more than 10 more Japanese companies also reported being hacked.

Closer home, in India, Cyberabad Police arrested a gang involved in the theft and sale of sensitive government data, including details of defence personnel as well as the personal and confidential data of about 16.8 crore citizens. The leak, they said, could have implications on national security.

Cybersecurity breaches have the power to create fear among the public, damage the reputation of organizations and even countries, compromise critical infrastructure, and lead to immsense financial losses.

In fact, a report from Cybersecurity Ventures estimates the cost of cybercrime will hit $8 trillion in 2023 and will grow to $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Organisations simply must understand how to protect against vulnerabilities before it’s too late. Database encryption is one of the ways that companies across the globe keep their data secure and protected as it helps protect private information and heightens the security of communication between client apps and servers.

There are two ways to armour up:

1.Native database encryption is an encryption mechanism built into the database management system itself allowing the database to automatically encrypt data stored on disk or backup media as well as being transferred between the database server and a client.

2.hird-party enterprise encryption uses software developed by external vendors and provides encryption capabilities across multiple databases and applications, regardless of the technology used.

So, which do you go with? Both have their advantages and challenges. The table below makes a comparison of the two:

Native database encryption	Third-party enterprise encryption
Can encrypt data without the need for additional software or hardware. The encryption process can be applied to the entire database or selected data types.	Can encrypt and protect sensitive data across multiple databases, including both structured and unstructured data.
Offers a limited set of encryption options and may only support specific types of data	Offers a wider range of encryption options and features, such as key management and access controls
Lower impact on database performance as it is specifically designed to work with the database system	May add an additional layer of complexity and overhead
Supported by the database vendor and likely to be included as part of the database management system	May require additional licensing and support agreements from an external vendor
Less flexible as it is limited to the features and capabilities offered by the database vendor	More flexible as it is not tied to a specific database management system

The choice between native database encryption and third-party enterprise encryption depends on your specific security requirements and the volume and type of data being protected. Blue Star E&E specialises in advanced data encryption solutions that can protect your organisation in the digital space. Talk to us today.