- ▸ Authentication rules need context - Trust boundaries, client libraries, transport security, identity controls, and a planned SCRAM-SHA-256 transition need review; a single setting does not determine compliance on its own.
- ▸ Tenant isolation needs evidence - Row-Level Security may be one defence for shared-table tenancy, but policies, table ownership, bypass roles, application tests, and alternative isolation controls must be reviewed together.
- ▸ Audit evidence has gaps - Native logging, pgaudit configuration, log destinations, retention, access controls, sensitive-value exposure, and alerting need assessment against the organisation's actual audit questions.
Scope a PostgreSQL security assessment with documented evidence, findings, remediation options, and agreed control cross-references. Book an audit scoping call →
PostgreSQL Security Audit - CIS, PCI DSS v4.0.1, HIPAA, SOC 2
In short: A PostgreSQL security audit examines authentication, privileges, network and TLS controls, audit evidence, Row-Level Security, extensions, backup protection, and managed-service responsibilities. It produces scoped evidence, severity-ranked findings, remediation and validation steps, and optional framework cross-references; it does not itself certify compliance.
PostgreSQL-specific assessment covering pgaudit, encryption responsibilities, Row-Level Security, SCRAM-SHA-256, pg_hba.conf, TLS, roles, extensions, and recovery controls. The scope and evidence period are agreed before work starts, and compliance conclusions remain with the client's assessor and counsel.
Assessment baseline
Twelve PostgreSQL control areas to scope
These areas form a review baseline, then the signed scope identifies what is applicable and what evidence is available. Findings distinguish observation, risk, assumptions, remediation options, owner, and validation.
Compliance Mapping
Cross-reference findings without overstating assurance
When included in scope, a matrix can connect technical evidence to candidate framework criteria for the compliance team to review. The matrix is supporting material, not certification, attestation, or legal advice.
| Framework | Scope | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| PCI DSS v4.0.1 | Cardholder data systems | Encryption-at-rest, TLS for transport, audit logging, access control, vulnerability management |
| HIPAA Security Rule | PHI databases | Access control, encryption, audit logs, integrity validation, transmission security |
| SOC 2 Type II | Customer data systems | Candidate security, availability, and confidentiality criteria relevant to the scoped database controls |
| ISO 27001:2022 | Information security management | Annex A controls 5.x-8.x covering DB access, cryptography, supplier relationships |
| GDPR Article 32 | EU personal data | Pseudonymisation, encryption, confidentiality, integrity, availability, resilience |
| CIS Database Benchmark | Hardening reference | Version-specific hardening recommendations used only where the selected benchmark applies |
Process
5-phase delivery
Scope
Confirm systems, environments, evidence period, access method, framework references, exclusions, and stakeholders.
Evidence
Collect approved configuration, identity, logging, network, backup, extension, and operating evidence.
Analysis
Separate observations from assumptions; assess risk, affected scope, evidence gaps, and remediation options.
Report
Produce the agreed executive summary, evidence register, findings, priorities, owners, and validation criteria.
Handoff
Walk through findings, record management responses, agree remediation sequencing, and define any retest.
Security guidance checked against primary technical and framework sources
PostgreSQL documentation supports the database-control guidance on this page. Framework owners define their own requirements and assessment methods, so any cross-reference must use the version and scope selected by the client's compliance team.
Editorial owner: JusDB Database Reliability Engineering team. Last reviewed . See the team and roles.
A JusDB security assessment is not a PCI DSS assessment, SOC examination, ISO certification, HIPAA legal determination, or legal opinion. Final compliance conclusions remain with the client's qualified assessor, auditor, and counsel.
FAQ
Common questions
What's included in a PostgreSQL security audit?
The scope can cover authentication and pg_hba.conf, roles and privileges, TLS, audit logging and pgaudit, Row-Level Security, extension risk, backup protection, secrets, managed-service responsibilities, and relevant CIS or compliance controls. The written deliverable separates observed evidence, risk, assumptions, remediation options, owners, and validation steps.
How long does the audit take?
Timing is set after scoping because cluster count, environments, access method, evidence availability, framework depth, interviews, and retesting change the effort. The statement of work should identify assessment dates, evidence cut-off, draft review, final report, and whether urgent findings are communicated before the final report.
Do you remediate or only report?
Both can be scoped. The audit phase produces evidence-backed findings and a remediation roadmap. Remediation is a separate engagement: JusDB can implement agreed changes and validation steps, or hand the work to your team with documented priorities, owners, and runbooks.
Does the audit cover managed services (RDS, Aurora, Cloud SQL, Azure Flexible Server)?
Yes. Managed PostgreSQL - Amazon RDS, Aurora PostgreSQL, Google Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL, and Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server - operates on a shared-responsibility model. We assess controls in the agreed client scope and record client-supplied provider reports or attestations as evidence. The audit does not independently verify controls operated by the cloud provider.
What compliance frameworks do you map to?
Where agreed, findings can be cross-referenced to applicable PCI DSS v4.0.1, HIPAA Security Rule, SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR Article 32, or CIS guidance. This mapping supports the client's evidence and remediation work; it is not a certification, attestation, legal opinion, or substitute for the client's qualified assessor or counsel.
What's the deliverable?
The agreed deliverable can include an executive summary, scope and evidence register, severity-ranked findings, affected systems, remediation options, responsible owners, validation criteria, and a prioritised roadmap. Framework cross-references and a retest record are included only when they are part of the signed scope.
How is pricing structured?
Pricing is scoped from the number of clusters and environments, hosting model, evidence and interview requirements, framework depth, access constraints, report format, remediation support, and retesting. The proposal should state inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, client responsibilities, delivery milestones, and any separately priced remediation work.
Audit window approaching?
Scope a PostgreSQL security assessment with evidence, prioritised findings, remediation criteria, and optional framework cross-references.