Secure your PostgreSQL database with these essential practices. From parameterized queries to role management.
Verify your app follows these best practices automatically.
PostgreSQL has robust security features, but they require proper configuration. These practices help you leverage PostgreSQL's security capabilities effectively.
Never concatenate user input into SQL queries. Always use parameterized queries or prepared statements.
Use query parameters ($1, $2, etc.) instead of string concatenation
SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = '${email}'SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = $1Create application users with minimum required permissions. Never use the postgres superuser for applications.
Create roles with specific table/column permissions using GRANT statements
Encrypt all connections between applications and PostgreSQL.
Configure ssl=true in connection string, use sslmode=verify-full for production
Control which hosts can connect and what authentication methods they use.
Use scram-sha-256 authentication, restrict by IP, require SSL
For multi-tenant applications, use RLS to isolate data at the database level.
Enable RLS on tables and create policies that reference current_user or application context
Use pgcrypto or application-level encryption for sensitive columns.
Encrypt PII and sensitive data before storage
SQL injection remains the #1 database attack
Always use parameterized queries or prepared statements
Superuser can do anything including dropping databases
Create application-specific users with limited permissions
Any network access can attempt authentication
Restrict to specific IPs or networks, require SSL
Following best practices is the first step. Verify your app is actually secure with a comprehensive security scan.
Scan Your App FreePostgreSQL has good security features, but requires configuration. Enable SSL, configure pg_hba.conf properly, and always use parameterized queries.
ORMs generally use parameterized queries automatically, which prevents SQL injection. However, raw SQL queries in ORMs still need proper parameterization.
RLS lets you define policies at the database level that restrict which rows users can see or modify. It's especially useful for multi-tenant applications sharing a database.
Last updated: January 2026