Public IP Address Data Storage

This question asks whether your data will be stored on servers that have public internet addresses - meaning they can be directly reached from anywhere on the internet. Private IP addresses (RFC 1918) are like unlisted phone numbers that can't be dialed directly from outside, while public IPs are like published phone numbers anyone can call. Storing data on publicly addressable servers increases exposure to attacks.

Servers with public IP addresses are constantly scanned and attacked by hackers worldwide. Storing sensitive data on publicly accessible systems dramatically increases breach risk, even with firewalls and other protections. Using private IP addresses reduces attack surface, meets security best practices, and demonstrates proper network architecture. This fundamental security measure affects your overall risk profile and insurance premiums.

Organizations often assume firewalls provide adequate protection for public-facing database servers, not realizing that any misconfiguration can expose everything. Another mistake is using public IPs for convenience during development and forgetting to change them in production, leaving permanent security holes.