MongoDB Security Best Practices for Network Access Control

To ensure the security of data stored in MongoDB, it’s important to restrict network access to the server running the database. This post is intended to assist you in this regard.

Starting with Network Access Restriction

Securing the data stored in MongoDB begins with limiting network access to the server hosting the database. One way to achieve this is by setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN presents a connection as if it were a local private network, facilitating secure communication between servers within it. By using a VPN for MongoDB, you can block access from machines not connected to the same VPN.

Enhancing Security with a Firewall

However, a VPN alone may not be sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to your MongoDB installation. There might be many individuals who require access to your VPN, but only a few of them need access to your MongoDB database. You can further refine control over who can access your data by configuring a firewall on your database server.

A firewall enhances network security by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic based on custom rules. Firewall tools typically allow precise rule-setting, giving you the flexibility to permit connections from specific IP addresses to specific ports on your server. For instance, you can establish rules that only permit an application server to access the port used by your MongoDB installation on your database server.

Limiting Exposure with IP Binding

Another way to limit your database’s network exposure is to configure IP binding. By default, MongoDB is bound to “localhost” after installation. This means that a fresh MongoDB installation will only accept connections from “localhost” or the same server where the MongoDB instance is installed.

This default setting is secure since the database is only accessible to those who already have access to the server it’s installed on. However, it can cause issues when you need to access the database remotely from another computer. In such cases, you can additionally bind your instance to an IP address or hostname from which the remote computer can reach the database server. MongoDB Security Best Practices