Dr. Gerdewal ConsultingDr. Gerdewal Consulting
Insight 11.1

Postgres & CIS

The CIS PostgreSQL Benchmark: Comprehensive security for open-source databases.


The CIS framework for PostgreSQL provides a detailed checklist for hardening instances against potential attacks. A major focus lies on secure installation and file system protection, specifically the permissions of the data directory. Logging is configured to be seamless and comprehensive using parameters like 'log_connections' and 'log_disconnections'.

By default, authentication via the 'pg_hba.conf' file is migrated to secure methods such as SCRAM-SHA-256.
Unnecessary extensions and default databases (such as the 'postgres' database) are restricted or removed. Encryption during transit is enforced through a strict and modern SSL/TLS configuration. The framework recommends revoking superuser privileges from application users to follow the principle of least privilege. Regular backups and integrity checks of these backups are integral parts of the CIS compliance strategy. Additional security layers, such as Row Level Security (RLS), are recommended for fine-grained data access control. Cloud providers often offer automated compliance reports that audit the CIS status of your PostgreSQL instance.

In summary: For PostgreSQL as well, the CIS standard serves as the foundation for secure enterprise-grade operations.