There are four main ways for MongoDB to encrypt data at rest. 1. Encryption is implemented using WiredTiger storage engine, and is implemented by configuring encryption settings and key management, suitable for enterprise versions or Atlas; 2. Use file system or volume encryption such as LUKS and BitLocker, suitable for all versions but with a coarse protection granularity; 3. Application-level encryption, encrypting sensitive fields in the code, with high security but increased development costs; 4. MongoDB Atlas provides default underlying volume encryption, and supports custom master keys and client field-level encryption. Different solutions can be used in combination according to the deployment environment and security requirements.

MongoDB provides a variety of ways to encrypt data at rest to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. If you care about data security, especially using MongoDB in production environments, it is necessary to understand these encryption options.

1. Encryption using the storage engine

MongoDB's WiredTiger storage engine supports encryption of data when written to disk. This is one of the most direct and commonly used encryption methods at present.

• Enable method : encryption -related settings need to be enabled in the configuration file and a key is provided.
• Key Management : You can use local key files or integrate KMS (such as AWS KMS) to manage keys more securely.
• Applicable scenarios : Suitable for scenarios where you want to implement end-to-end encryption at the database level, especially for environments deployed on public clouds or shared infrastructure.

It should be noted that this feature is only available in the Enterprise Edition or Atlas, and is not supported in the Community Edition.

2. File system or volume encryption

If you don't want to rely on MongoDB's own encryption mechanism, you can use file system or volume encryption technology at the operating system level.

• Common tools : such as LUKS on Linux, dm-crypt, or Windows tools like BitLocker.
• Advantages : No need to modify the MongoDB configuration, it is suitable for all versions.
• Note : Although this method is simple and effective, it protects the entire disk data, not the fine-grained database content. Once the disk is mounted, the data is in a decrypted state, so it also needs to be used in conjunction with other permission control measures.

3. Application layer encryption (field-level encryption)

If you want to encrypt certain particularly sensitive data (such as user ID number, password, etc.), you can handle encryption logic in the application code.

• Working principle : Before the data enters the database, it is encrypted by the application first; then decrypted when reading.
• Advantages : More security, because even if the database is leaked, the attacker cannot obtain the original data.
• Disadvantages : Increases development and maintenance costs and requires proper management of encryption keys and algorithms.
• Recommended practices :
  • Use standard encryption libraries (such as AES)
  • Each field is encrypted separately
  • Do not hardcode the key, it is recommended to use the key management system

MongoDB Atlas supports a feature called "automatic field-level encryption" that simplifies this process.

4. MongoDB Atlas encryption capabilities

If you are using MongoDB Atlas hosting service, data at rest is already protected by default through the underlying encrypted volume.

• Additional Options : Atlas supports customer custom master keys (CMKs), which you can use AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or Google Cloud KMS to control encryption keys.
• Field-level encryption : Atlas also supports client encryption, allowing you to encrypt specific fields at the application layer.

Basically these common and practical MongoDB data at rest encryption schemes. Which method to choose depends on your deployment environment, compliance requirements, and whether you are willing to assume additional operational complexity. Some solutions are more effective in combination, such as turning on the storage engine encryption application layer key field encryption at the same time.

The above is the detailed content of What are the options for encrypting data at rest in MongoDB?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!