/alloydb-basics

AlloyDB IAM & Security

AlloyDB utilizes Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) to provide granular access control and robust security features.

Predefined IAM Roles

The following table describes the predefined roles available for AlloyDB:

Secure Connectivity

1. Network Security:

   • Private IP: Keeps traffic internal to Google Cloud.
     • Private Service Connect (PSC): Recommended for new configurations. Offers enhanced security, better IP management, and flexible multi-VPC topologies without peering.
     • Private Services Access (PSA): Uses VPC peering.
   • Public IP: Allows connections from outside GCP.
     • ALWAYS use with Authorized Networks to restrict access to specific IP ranges.
     • NEVER use 0.0.0.0/0 in Authorized Networks.
   • VPC Service Controls (VPC-SC): Define security perimeters around your AlloyDB instances to prevent data exfiltration.

2. Encryption:

   • In Transit: TLS encryption is enforced by default for all connections.
   • At Rest: Data is always encrypted, using Google-managed keys by default. Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) are supported for greater control.

3. Authentication & Authorization:

   • IAM Authentication: Recommended. Uses Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) principals (users/service accounts) and short-lived OAuth tokens. Centralizes access control and avoids database passwords.
   • Built-in Database Authentication: Standard PostgreSQL username/password. Use strong password policies if this method is chosen.
   • Database Authorization: Standard PostgreSQL GRANT / REVOKE statements manage permissions within the database, regardless of the authentication method.

4. Connection Methods:

   • Direct Connection: Standard PostgreSQL connection.
   • AlloyDB Connectors (Auth Proxy & Language Libraries): Highly Recommended for security.
     • Provide connection-level IAM Authorization.
     • Automatically use mTLS (Mutual TLS) for encrypted and authenticated connections.
     • Simplify using IAM Database Authentication (tokens are handled automatically).
     • Essential for secure Public IP access without wide open Authorized Networks.
     • Best practice: Run Auth Proxy as a sidecar to the application.

Key Recommendations for Agents:

• Prioritize Private IP: Guide users to use Private IP (especially PSC) over Public IP whenever their application is within GCP.
• Push AlloyDB Connectors: Strongly recommend AlloyDB Connectors (Auth Proxy or language libraries) because they enhance security through IAM connection authorization and mTLS, especially crucial for Public IP.
• IAM Authentication is Preferred: Encourages centralized management and token-based auth.
• Secure Public IP: If Public IP is necessary, stress the absolute need for tightly restricted Authorized Networks.
• Leverage Cloud Security Tools: Remind users to use VPC-SC and Security Command Center for monitoring and policy enforcement.

Data Security

• Encryption at Rest: All data is encrypted by default. Use Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) for greater control.

• IAM Database Authentication: Authenticate to the database using IAM identities (users or service accounts) instead of static passwords.

Service Agents

AlloyDB uses a managed service agent (service-PROJECT_NUMBER@gcp-sa-alloydb.iam.gserviceaccount.com) to manage resources like storage and backups. Ensure this agent has the necessary permissions in your project.

For more information, see: Security, privacy, risk, and compliance for AlloyDB for PostgreSQL.