How to Connect to a Database Using JDBC with SSL/TLS?

Connecting to a database using JDBC with SSL/TLS is nothing but it will Setup a secure connection between the Java program(from IDE, for Example: Eclipse) and the database server, and it will ensure that transferring the data between the Java program and database server is protected. Connecting to the database using the JDBC with SSL/TLS involved configuring both the client (Java application) and server (database server) to support secure communication, including the usage of SSL/TLS certificates and encryption. This is make sure that the sensitive data is secure while transferring between the client and the server. By including the JDBC power for the database connection with the security features of SSL/TLS, developers can build Java applications that are not only for the efficient interaction with the database but also for the confidentiality and integrity of the data exchanged over the networks.

Prerequisites:

The following are the prerequisites to connect a database using JDBC with SSL/TLS

1. SSL/TLS Certificates
2. Database SSL/TLS Configuration
3. JDBC Driver
4. Java Code Setup

Example of Connect to a Database Using JDBC with SSL/TLS

Step 1: Set up Eclipse IDE

1. Open Eclipse IDE. Create one Java Project and name it as JDBCSSLPostgreSQLExample.
2. After that add PostgreSQL JDBC driver Jar file to your Java project through Build Path > Configure Build Path > Add External JARs.
3. Create a Java class file in your project, name it as JDBCSSLPostgreSQLExample.

Here is the path for the Java class file and jar file:

Step 2: Implement the code

Open Java Class file, write the below code to connect to a database using JDBC with SSL/TLS

import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DriverManager;
import java.sql.SQLException;

public class JDBCSSLPostgreSQLExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String url = "jdbc:postgresql://localhost:3307/work?ssl=true&sslmode=require&sslrootcert=server-ca.pem&sslcert=client-cert.pem&sslkey=client-key.pem";
        String username = "root";
        String password = "tiger";

        try (Connection conn = DriverManager.getConnection(url, username, password)) {
            System.out.println("Connected to the database!");
            // Perform database operations here
        } catch (SQLException e) {
            System.err.println("Failed to connect to the database!");
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

Explanation of the above program:

1. Import Statements are necessary for JDBC classes.
2. Main method is entry point of the program.
3. Database Connection URL is specified that the connection details with the SSL/TLS settings and certificate paths.
4. Database Credentials such as username and password for the authentication of the database.
5. Try-with-Resource Block is establish a database connection and after that it will close automatically closes it after the use.
6. If any exception will be occur catch block will be executed otherwise it will prints the try block.

Note: Make sure that you need to change hostname, database, username and password with your database connections details. And make sure that server-ca.pem, client-cert.pem and client-key.pem are correct paths to the SSL/TLS certificate files.

Step 3: Run the Code

1. After implement the code, you need to run the code.
2. For run the code, Right click on your project then select Run As > Java application.

Here is the Output as shown below in console window: