4 Database Auditing Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Ron Ben Natan's extensive experience as CTO at Guardium Inc. and his Ph.D. in distributed computing shape this detailed guide on database security and auditing. You learn specific techniques for securing database environments, including network security, authentication, authorization, and detecting database Trojans. The book goes deep into vulnerabilities and attack methods, explaining the anatomy of attacks and how to defend against them. It also covers auditing from both a regulatory and technical viewpoint, making it practical for professionals dealing with compliance and security enforcement. If you manage or protect databases, you'll find actionable insights here, though beginners might find the technical depth demanding.

After more than a decade managing diverse database environments, Josephine Bush developed this guide to demystify auditing for SQL Server and Azure SQL users. You’ll get hands-on insights into tracking schema and permission changes, using tools like SQL Server Audit and Extended Events, and leveraging features such as change data capture and temporal tables. Practical chapters walk you through configuring audits for cloud platforms like Azure SQL Managed Instance and AWS RDS, emphasizing how to collect and centralize audit data without relying on costly third-party tools. This book suits database administrators and developers who need detailed, actionable knowledge to support troubleshooting, compliance, and governance.

This tailored book explores the complexities of database auditing with a focus that matches your specific background, experience level, and goals. It examines essential auditing principles, techniques for securing databases, and effective methods for tracking and analyzing database activity, all tailored to the platforms and challenges you face. By concentrating on your interests and needs, it reveals pathways through advanced concepts and real-world scenarios that often challenge database professionals. The personalized approach ensures that your learning journey is efficient and directly applicable, bridging expert knowledge with your unique requirements. It covers aspects like compliance, risk management, audit trail analysis, and platform-specific auditing nuances, providing a detailed exploration customized for your success.

Drawing from decades of experience securing Oracle databases, Ron Ben-Natan lays out a clear path through the complex security features of Oracle 10g and 11g. You’ll learn not just which tools to use but how to configure them effectively, from encryption methods to audit trail management. The book breaks down advanced concepts like Virtual Private Database and Database Vault into manageable HOWTOs, making it practical whether you’re setting up defenses or performing audits. If you work with Oracle databases and want a focused, no-frills guide to tightening security and understanding risks, this book will serve you well.

After analyzing the landscape of database management and security, this book focuses tightly on the practices and principles behind safeguarding and auditing database systems. Though the author remains unnamed, the text presents a collection of insights into how databases can be secured against unauthorized access and monitored for compliance and anomalies. You’ll find detailed discussions on auditing mechanisms and security models that are essential for anyone tasked with protecting sensitive data. This book is particularly suited for IT professionals and database administrators who want to deepen their understanding of auditing processes and security controls within relational database environments.