Security Best Practices | Best Practices

1. User Authentication

Implementing strong user authentication is crucial for securing your Grafana instance. Use a combination of username and password, and consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

Example: To enable 2FA, configure your Grafana by editing the grafana.ini file:

[auth]
enable = true

2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Grafana allows you to set up role-based access control, which helps in managing user permissions effectively. Ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data.

Example: Create teams and assign roles in Grafana to control access levels. For instance, create a team for developers with read-only permissions.

3. Secure Your Data Sources

Ensure that the data sources connected to Grafana are secure. Use encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) to protect data in transit.

Example: When configuring a database data source in Grafana, specify the SSL settings:

{
  "type": "mysql",
  "url": "your-database-url",
  "access": "proxy",
  "jsonData": {
    "tlsSkipVerify": false,
    "tlsAuth": true
  }
}

4. Regularly Update Grafana

Keep your Grafana installation up to date with the latest security patches and features. Regular updates help mitigate vulnerabilities.

Example: Use the following command to update Grafana via Docker:

docker pull grafana/grafana:latest

5. Configure Firewall Rules

Implement firewall rules to restrict access to the Grafana server. Only allow connections from trusted IP addresses.

Example: On a Linux server, you can use iptables to allow only specific IPs:

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s YOUR_TRUSTED_IP --dport 3000 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3000 -j DROP

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery

Regularly back up your Grafana configuration and dashboards to prevent data loss. Ensure you have a disaster recovery plan in place.

Example: Use the following command to back up Grafana data:

cp -r /var/lib/grafana /backup/grafana_backup

7. Monitor Logs and Activity

Regularly monitor Grafana logs for suspicious activity. Set up alerts for unauthorized access attempts or other anomalies.

Example: Check Grafana logs located at /var/log/grafana/grafana.log for any unusual entries.

Security Best Practices for Grafana