Should User Information and Login Credentials Be Stored in Separate Databases?

Best Practices for Storing User Information, Logins, and Passwords

When designing a user database, the question of where to store sensitive information like passwords and personal data often arises. In this discussion, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of separating user information from login credentials.

The user suggests storing personal information and login credentials in separate tables to enhance data protection, assuming that separating data reduces the risk of data loss during breaches or system failures.

Password Storage: Hashes Over Stored Passwords

While protecting sensitive data is crucial, the best practice for password storage is not to store passwords at all. Instead, store password hashes using a secure hashing algorithm like bcrypt, which incorporates a salt. This approach mitigates the risk of password compromise even if the database is breached.

Data Separation: Limited Value

While data separation may provide a false sense of security, as accessing one database table can easily lead to accessing other related tables. Therefore, separating user information from login credentials in different tables offers minimal additional protection.

Alternative Approaches for Enhanced Security

If security is a paramount concern, consider storing user credentials in a separate data store, such as an LDAP directory server. This approach enables single-sign-on functionality and enhances security by isolating user credentials from domain data.

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