Migration Strategies for Legacy Systems

Real-world systems often contain legacy password storage requiring careful migration to modern standards. Transparent migration during user login allows upgrading password hashes without requiring mass password resets. This approach maintains security while minimizing user disruption.

Hybrid storage systems support multiple hash formats during transition periods. Version markers in stored hashes enable appropriate verification algorithms while tracking migration progress. Forced password resets for accounts with legacy hashes may be necessary for high-security applications or after extended migration periods.

Password storage security forms a critical foundation for user data protection. By implementing modern hashing algorithms, appropriate salting, and comprehensive password policies, applications can protect user credentials against current and emerging threats. The next chapter explores database security configurations that complement secure password storage in protecting user data.## Database Security Configurations and Access Controls

Database systems serve as the ultimate repositories for user data, making their security configuration paramount to overall data protection. Yet databases often run with default configurations that prioritize ease of setup over security, creating vulnerabilities that sophisticated attackers readily exploit. This chapter provides comprehensive guidance on hardening database configurations, implementing granular access controls, and establishing defense-in-depth strategies that protect user data at the storage layer.