In the 21st century, data reigns king. Therefore, properly storing your data is not just a mere suggestion but a necessity in today’s world. That’s where an SQL server comes into the picture. An SQL server is simply a relational database management system that supports various business intelligence operations, analytics operations, and transaction processing. The ultimate role of an SQL server is to store data while also keeping it safe and secure against data breaches or any kind of cyber attack. The more people who have access to your SQL server, the more at risk your data becomes. However, we also understand that with so many SQL tutorials available online, it’s easy to get confused about SQL server best practices. That’s why we’ve come up with five key tips to help you keep your data secure while also adding an extra layer of security to your server. Read on to learn everything you need to know about SQL server best practices.
As you give SQL server access to more people, the higher your security risks become. On the other hand, when you restrict SQ: server access to the users who need it, you help prevent data theft, data corruption, and similar issues.
You should also limit the privileges that users have. Ideally, you should have at least three types of user accounts. At the Admin level, users have access to everything, including audit, priority, and other data. At the Executive level, users have access to priority and other data. Finally, at the lowest level, users can only access other data.
In most cases, backup transaction logs run somewhere between every 15 minutes to three hours. Those times can fit the needs of some companies. You might, however, choose to back up your transaction logs as often as once per minute.
The more often you back up your transaction logs, the faster your server can operate because it handles smaller amounts of data. Plus, you ensure that you have a record of the most recent data.
When working with trial databases, you will need to learn the age of each one. Use this shell script to clean up expired trial databases automatically at the end of the day.
Long wait times make it difficult for employees to work productively. If someone wastes time waiting for a SQL server to respond, then your company ends up losing money on lost productivity.
Instead of letting your employees and business suffer, you can learn where and how to troubleshoot long wait times.
Simple troubleshooting options include:
Some queries will matter more than others. So make sure that you prioritize the queries that get used most often.
Related Reading: MySQL vs. MS SQL Server – Which Reigns Supreme?
You rely on your SQL server to store critical data that makes it possible for your business to thrive. What would happen if you suddenly lost access to that data? Without a reliable disaster recovery plan, your company might have to shut down while an IT team scrambles to find a solution.
Avoid this problem by developing a disaster recovery plan that meets your company’s needs. Depending on your company’s size and your IT budget, your disaster recovery plan may include:
Geography matters in your recovery plan because you want to protect your data from local disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. Choosing a backup server that’s hundreds or thousands of miles away makes it unlikely that a single event will destroy all of your data.
For an in-depth exploration of SQL disaster recovery plans, read this collection of blog posts from SQL Server Best Practices (SQLBP).
Choosing the right API is one of the most effective ways for you to gain control over your SQL server so you can follow best practices. A great API will:
Now that you have acquired some tips to keep your SQL server and the data it houses a little safer, are you ready to discover more about the many benefits the DreamFactory platform has to offer? If so, contact our team today to start your free trial!
Making an effective API doesn’t have to take a lot of time or expertise. Visit DreamFactory to see how easy it is to create an SQL server API in less than five minutes. You won’t find a faster, more reliable tool that gives you control over your SQL server.
Related Reading: Integrating Snowflake with MS SQL Server using DreamFactory