Organizations are handling vast amounts of personal, financial, and proprietary data. Protecting these valuable resources from unauthorized access or malicious attacks requires strong security practices, especially when using the powerful database platform like Oracle Database. A single data breach can have severe consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. So, it is important to implement strong Oracle security practices to safeguard sensitive information. A secure database protects your data and ensures compliance with industry regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. This blog will explore the best practices for Oracle Database security and how SoftArt can help businesses enhance security.
Securing your Oracle Database requires a comprehensive approach involving proactive measures and using Oracle’s built-in security features. Here is a closer look at some of the most important database security best practices:
Get Rid of Default Passwords: Oracle databases come with pre-configured accounts and passwords, which are often familiar to hackers. For instance, by default, the “SYS” account can have a weak password like “oracle.” Replace these with strong, unique passwords, such as “A9$zYp#37k, ” combining upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords should include at least eight characters and expire every 60 days. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as an additional code sent via SMS or generated through an authenticator app, to ensure access requires more than a password. Deactivate any default accounts that are not in use.
Update and Patch: Oracle regularly releases security patches to address vulnerabilities. For example, a recent security patch fixed a critical SQL injection vulnerability. Delaying or ignoring these updates could expose your database to known exploits. Implement a patch management process that promptly identifies, tests, and applies patches. Schedule downtime for non-critical systems during off-hours to minimize operational disruptions.
Separate Duties: Implementing the separation of duties minimizes the risk of unauthorized actions. For instance, a database administrator (DBA) should not have the ability to approve financial transactions. Instead, assign tasks like data approval to a different department. This way, even if the DBA account is compromised, sensitive data cannot be manipulated without another party’s approval.
Change Default Audit Settings: Default audit settings usually fail to capture important activities. For instance, the default setting might not log privilege changes, which is critical if someone gains elevated access. Customize audit logs to monitor important events like schema changes, failed login attempts, and privilege modifications. Review these logs regularly and set alerts for unusual patterns, such as repeated login failures.
Implement Strong Authentication Methods: Use advanced authentication protocols like Kerberos, PKI, and OAuth. For example, Kerberos issues time-limited “tickets” that validate user identity, preventing reuse by malicious actors. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) limits users’ access to only the resources they need, reducing exposure. For instance, a financial analyst should only see financial data, not employee HR records.
Manage Sensitive Data: Classify your data based on sensitivity and apply encryption to highly sensitive data both at rest (e.g., data stored in a table) and in transit (e.g., data moving across networks). Use data masking to hide information like credit card numbers when accessed by unauthorized personnel. For example, show only the last four digits (e.g., **** **** **** 1234) to protect the full card number.
Use Additional Security Tools: Oracle Advanced Security provides Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and data redaction to protect sensitive information. These Oracle database security tools encrypt database files to prevent unauthorized access, while data redaction replaces sensitive data with masked values in reports. Oracle Data Safe automatically detects vulnerabilities and offers suggestions for remediation, providing valuable insights for ongoing security improvements.
Cybersecurity Literacy: Educate employees about cybersecurity threats and best practices. As per the report of Harvard Business Review, over 300 million people are working remotely, and breaches due to insider threats are causing an average annual loss of $7.5 million to the organizations. So, educating your staff on recognizing phishing attempts, safe password practices, and secure handling of sensitive data is essential to minimize these risks.
By following these best practices, your Oracle Database will have multiple layers of defense. But, implementing a robust security strategy is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge. At SoftArt, we offer comprehensive database administration support services to help businesses safeguard their data using the best Oracle security practices. Our team provides expert guidance, implements security tools, and monitors your database for any signs of vulnerability. Contact us today to strengthen your Oracle Database security and keep your data safe.
Why is updating and patching so important?
Ans. Regular updates and patches fix known vulnerabilities, protecting your database from threats that could exploit these security gaps.
How does separating duties improve security?
Ans. Separating duties prevents any single person from having too much control, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized data manipulation or misuse.
What is the role of encryption in securing sensitive data?
Ans. Encryption ensures that data remains unreadable to unauthorized users, even if they access the storage or transmission channels.
How do audit logs help detect security threats?
Ans. Audit logs capture critical activities, allowing you to identify unusual behavior, such as multiple failed login attempts or sudden privilege changes.
How does implementing strong authentication methods protect the database?
Strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Kerberos ensure that only authorized users can access the database, adding extra verification steps to prevent unauthorized access even if a password is compromised.
There are many fantastic features in Oracle Database 19c. You can count on your SoftArt Solutions partners to get it running with Oracle EBS tools.
The focus of Oracle 19c is improved stability for Oracle EBS tools. Its name represents Oracle’s commitments to annual updates, which started in 2018. Here’s a look at what you can expect in this release. SoftArt Solutions consultants can help you examine your current system to determine the best path to a 19c upgrade.
Database administrators (DBAs) won’t have to regression test query execution plans before moving to 19c. This version automatically compares the built-in plans to existing queries and replaces any that would benefit from the upgrade, optimizing every query execution plan for performance. Queries should run better— without DBAs intervention.
Oracle 19c can be integrated into the Oracle Autonomous Database. Within the Oracle Cloud DB, administrators can deploy applications via Exadata systems. This lets your organization launch workloads via isolated computing environments instead of utilizing multi-tenant cloud-based machines.
Database teams can install:
This innovation is part of Oracle’s Cloud at Customer offering.
This is one of the most anticipated features of this release. The automatic indexing feature, based on SQL tuning methods, is fully automated —a seachange from the previous manual process. Oracle Database 19c finds potential indexes, performs online validations and adds indexes if appropriate. DBAs can audit tuning activities via database reports.
Oracle Data Guard helps DBAs install, monitor and manage standby databases, which improves transparency and facilitates the disaster recovery process. In Oracle Database 19c, Data Guard includes data manipulation language (DML) redirection. You can now run DML statements on a standby database. Data Guard directs these statements to the primary database to apply data changes. The updated data is fed back to the standby database to ensure redundancy.
Oracle Database 19c contains improvements to Easy Connect’s naming methodology. EZConnect streamlines Oracle DBs via TCP/IP networks, so users no longer have to build lookups within the tnsnames.ora files. The Easy Connect syntax is also simplified. In addition, Oracle 19c allows multiple ports and hosts in a single connection string, simplifying load-balance connections. The EZConnect adapter can also accept multiple name-value pairs. For example, CONNECT_TIMEOUT=60&RETRY_COUNT=3.
Oracle Database 19c is friendlier toward Internet of Things data. Memory-optimized access boosts the performance of data inserts from IoT devices. Clients should be able to write to in-memory buffers directly, and writes are then processed in large batches, increasing insert throughput.
Here are some of the other expected enhanced in Oracle Database 19c:
SoftArt Solutions is an Oracle consulting company that focuses on all things Oracle. From troubleshooting to upgrades, clients count on us to ensure that Oracle implementations, such as Oracle Database 19c integration with Oracle EBS, go smoothly.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, navigating the intricate world of technology can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to complex systems like Oracle. This is where Oracle Consulting Services emerge as a powerful tool, providing businesses with the expertise and guidance needed to maximize the potential of their Oracle investments.
However, building an in-house team with the specialized skills required can be costly and time-consuming. Enter outsourcing, a strategic approach that allows businesses to tap into a pool of highly skilled Oracle consultants without the burden of building an internal team.
Outsourcing Oracle consulting services involves partnering with an external company to manage your Oracle-related needs. These experts, with their in-depth knowledge of Oracle technologies, can handle tasks like database management, cloud implementation, application development, and business process optimization.
By choosing to outsource, businesses gain access to specialized skills, cost-effectiveness, and increased efficiency, allowing them to focus on core functions and navigate the complexities of the Oracle landscape with confidence.
Oracle Consulting Cloud & Technology Services offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, encompassing:
Oracle Database Management: Expert assistance with installation, configuration, performance optimization, and security management of your Oracle databases.
Oracle ERP Cloud Implementation: Seamless transition to Oracle’s cloud-based ERP solutions, ensuring smooth adoption and maximizing the benefits of cloud technology.
Application Development and Integration: Skilled professionals to develop custom applications tailored to your specific business needs and seamlessly integrate them with your existing Oracle systems.
Business Process Optimization: Streamline your workflows and enhance efficiency by leveraging the expertise of Oracle consultants to identify and implement process improvements.
These services, when utilized effectively, can unlock a plethora of advantages for businesses of all sizes. Let’s go deeper into the key benefits of outsourcing Oracle consulting services.
Building an in-house team of highly skilled Oracle consultants can be expensive and time-consuming. Outsourcing allows you to access a pool of experts readily, eliminating the need for extensive recruitment and training. These consultants possess in-depth knowledge of the latest Oracle technologies and best practices, ensuring your projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
Outsourcing eliminates the need for significant upfront investments in infrastructure, software, and employee benefits associated with building an internal Oracle team. Additionally, you only pay for the services you require, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses with fluctuating needs.
By outsourcing your Oracle needs, you free up your internal IT team to focus on core business functions. This allows them to dedicate their time and expertise to tasks that directly impact your core operations, leading to increased overall efficiency and productivity.
Outsourcing enables you to scale your Oracle expertise seamlessly as your business needs evolve. You can easily access additional resources during peak periods or when undertaking complex projects, ensuring your requirements are met efficiently.
Leading Oracle consulting firms stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in Oracle technology. By outsourcing, you gain access to their knowledge and expertise, ensuring your systems are always optimized and benefitting from the latest advancements in the field.
Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern in today’s digital world. Oracle consulting firms prioritize security and implement best practices to safeguard your data and systems, providing you with peace of mind and increased confidence in your IT infrastructure.
In today’s cloud-dominated landscape, Oracle ERP Cloud Implementation has become a critical consideration for businesses seeking to optimize their operations and gain a competitive edge. Outsourcing this process offers several advantages:
Rapid Deployment: Experienced consultants can expedite the transition to your new cloud-based ERP system, minimizing disruption to your daily operations.
Reduced Costs: Cloud-based solutions eliminate the need for costly hardware and software investments, making it a financially viable option for businesses of all sizes.
Increased Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud-based systems readily adapt to your evolving needs, allowing you to scale your resources up or down as required.
Enhanced Security: Cloud providers offer robust security measures to safeguard your data and systems, ensuring greater peace of mind.
By embracing the power of outsourcing Oracle consulting services, businesses can unlock a treasure trove of advantages, paving the way for increased efficiency, optimized operations, and a significant return on investment.
Partnering with a reliable and experienced Oracle consulting provider like SoftArt is the key to maximizing the benefits of outsourcing. SoftArt boasts a team of certified professionals with a proven track record of success in guiding businesses through their Oracle journeys. From database management to cloud implementation, SoftArt offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
Whether you’re seeking to optimize existing Oracle systems, embark on a cloud migration journey, or leverage the power of Oracle ERP solutions, SoftArt’s team of experts is equipped to provide the guidance you need to navigate the Oracle landscape with confidence. So, take the first step towards achieving your Oracle aspirations, and contact SoftArt today to unlock the true potential of your technology investments.