Compliance in SQL Databases: Enforcing GDPR and HIPAA through Schema and Policy Design

Abstract

Data compliance has emerged as a cornerstone of modern data management, driven by regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. SQL databases, which serve as foundational elements in storing and managing sensitive information, must adapt to enforce these regulatory requirements effectively. This paper explores how SQL schema design, policy enforcement, and access control mechanisms can be leveraged to meet GDPR and HIPAA obligations. It examines structural strategies such as data minimization, pseudonymization, encryption at rest and in transit, and audit logging. Additionally, it delves into procedural enforcement using SQL-based access control lists, row-level security, data retention policies, and automated compliance checks. Through practical design principles and real-world examples, this paper provides a comprehensive guide to embedding privacy and security requirements into the relational database layer, ensuring both legal compliance and system integrity.