Introduction

In a world where cyberattacks and data breaches are increasingly common, securing your company's sensitive information is essential. Dolibarr, as an open-source ERP and CRM, offers numerous possibilities to ensure the protection of your data. However, administrators and users must implement best practices to guarantee optimal security.

In this article, we will explore the best tips and recommendations for securing your data on Dolibarr to prevent any leaks or loss of critical information.

1. Importance of Data Security in Dolibarr

Since Dolibarr is a centralized management tool, it contains sensitive financial, commercial, and customer data. Poor configuration or negligence in security can lead to financial losses, privacy breaches, and regulatory sanctions.

1.1. Why Secure Dolibarr?

• Protection against cyberattacks (hacking, phishing, ransomware)

• Securing customer data and intellectual property

• Compliance with regulations (GDPR, ISO 27001, etc.)

• Ensuring business continuity in case of an incident

2. Securing Access to Dolibarr

2.1. Using Strong Passwords

• Minimum length of 12 characters

• Include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters

• Change passwords regularly

• Use a password manager to avoid repetition

2.2. Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a unique code sent via SMS or generated through an app like Google Authenticator.

2.3. Managing User Roles and Permissions

• Define user profiles (administrator, manager, employee…)

• Restrict access to sensitive modules

• Disable inactive accounts

3. Securing the Dolibarr Server

3.1. Regular Software Updates

Dolibarr updates often include security patches. It is recommended to:

• Always use the latest stable version

• Apply security patches immediately

• Update third-party extensions and modules

3.2. Configuring an SSL/TLS Certificate

The HTTPS protocol encrypts exchanges between the server and users, protecting credentials and transactions. Ensure that you use a valid SSL certificate.

3.3. Regular Data Backups

To avoid data loss in case of failure or cyberattack:

• Perform automatic daily backups

• Store backups on a secure remote server

• Regularly test backup restoration

3.4. Securing SSH Access and Databases

• Change the default SSH port

• Disable direct root logins

• Use an SSH key instead of a password

• Restrict access to databases from specific IP addresses

4. Protection Against Attacks and Malware

4.1. Implementing a Firewall and Intrusion Detection System

• Install a firewall (UFW, IPTables, Fail2Ban)

• Configure an intrusion detection system (IDS) like Snort or Suricata

• Automatically block suspicious IP addresses

4.2. Protection Against SQL Injections and XSS Attacks

• Always validate and filter user inputs

• Use prepared statements in SQL scripts

• Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) in the browser

4.3. Monitoring Logs and Security Audits

• Enable and regularly analyze system and application logs

• Set up alerts for suspicious access attempts

• Regularly audit configuration changes

5. Compliance with Regulations and Best Practices

5.1. GDPR Compliance and Customer Data Management

• Collect only necessary information

• Inform users about how their data is used

• Allow customers to modify or delete their data

5.2. Employee Training and Awareness

• Educate staff on phishing risks and social engineering

• Train on best access management practices

• Implement an IT security policy

5.3. Regular Security Testing and Audits

• Conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities

• Perform annual security audits

• Regularly update security policies and procedures

Conclusion

Data security in Dolibarr should be a top priority for any company using this ERP/CRM. By adopting best cybersecurity practices, you can effectively protect your information from cyber threats.

Implementing access management, regular software updates, encrypted communications, and frequent backups are some of the key measures to ensure a secure environment.

Don't wait for an incident to occur before taking action! Apply these recommendations now to ensure optimal and secure data management on Dolibarr.