Building a scalable Data Security framework with Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) for a global Dairy Leader
With limited visibility into database activities across a globally distributed dairy supply chain, the organization needed improved compliance alignment and operational control. By integrating critical databases with IBM Guardium DAM, centralized real-time monitoring of privileged and unauthorized activities was established. A Security Operations Center (SOC) integrated incident management process streamlined alert handling and resolution. Automated reporting ensured continuous compliance and operational efficiency across the data security environment.
Challenge
The challenges included critical gaps in database security and visibility across applications and data flows, a lack of automated user profiling, inconsistent policy enforcement, distributed global data with limited control and the growing need to secure sensitive partner and business information across diverse systems and cloud environments.
- Critical gaps in database security and visibility across business applications, storage environments and supply-chain data flows
- No automated user profiling or continuous access monitoring, making it hard to detect misuse of sensitive objects
- Inconsistent policy enforcement across platforms, increasing regulatory and operational risk
- Large volumes of supplier, logistics and product data distributed globally with limited central control
- Growing need to secure sensitive partner and business information across heterogeneous systems and cloud environments
Objective
The goal was to secure critical business data and ensure compliance through an automated framework, enhance threat detection and response capabilities, centralize visibility with consistent policy enforcement across platforms and focus remediation efforts on high-risk users and activities.
- Proactively protect critical business data and ensure regulatory compliance via a scalable, automated security framework
- Enable near-real-time threat detection and faster incident response to strengthen data security posture and support modernization initiatives
- Centralize visibility and consistent policy enforcement across on-prem and cloud platforms
- Prioritize remediation by surfacing the highest-risk users and activities
Solution
Implemented IBM Guardium DAM to provide centralized, near real-time monitoring of database activities across critical systems. Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA) and Risk Spotter were enabled to detect suspicious and policy-violating activities and to support compliance monitoring. An SOC-aligned incident management process was established for alert generation, investigation and resolution. Centralized visibility was achieved by collecting database audit logs from both cloud and on-prem environments, with automated reporting enabling ongoing audit readiness and operational control.
- The solution enables continuous monitoring and policy-based controls to safeguard sensitive data within databases and support compliance requirements
- Near-real-time database activity monitoring using policy-based analytics to identify unauthorized or risky access in structured data environments
- Broad platform coverage was delivered by securing the key databases and operating systems in scope, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL and Linux—providing consistent and scalable monitoring across distributed environments
- Centralized collection of native audit logs from cloud and on-prem environments to provide comprehensive monitoring coverage
The impact
Centralized, near-real-time database activity monitoring delivered improved visibility and control across in-scope cloud and on-prem environments. Policy-based enforcement, advanced threat detection using ATA and Risk Spotter and SOC-aligned incident management strengthened compliance posture and reduced response times for security events. Automated reporting and standardized processes lowered audit effort, improved regulatory readiness and established a scalable data security foundation to support future growth and modernization.
- Risk-based alert prioritization: Activity-based risk insights from Guardium DAM, ATA and Risk Spotter helped prioritize security alerts and focus SOC efforts on higher-risk database activities.
- Improved audit efficiency: Automated audit reporting and centralized visibility reduced manual effort in compliance reporting and improved forensic readiness.
- Faster security investigation: Near-real-time monitoring and structured incident workflows shortened analysis, investigation and response cycles for database security events.
- Focused platform coverage: Consistent monitoring across in-scope platforms—including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL and Linux—reduced visibility gaps within the defined environment.
- Streamlined log collection: Centralized collection of native database audit logs from cloud and on-prem systems simplified onboarding and reduced operational overhead.
- Scalable and sustainable monitoring: Policy-based detection and standardized processes established a scalable foundation to support future expansion and evolving compliance needs.
