Encryption in transit is a critical security measure that protects sensitive data as it travels across networks. In Oracle databases, enabling this feature ensures that data is encrypted during transmission, safeguarding it from potential interception or unauthorized access. This document provides a comprehensive guide on how to activate encryption in transit for Oracle databases. Activating encryption in transit for Oracle databases involves several steps, including configuring the Oracle Net Services, setting up the necessary parameters, and ensuring that the client and server are properly configured to support encrypted connections. It is important to note that Network Encryption Option is part of the Oracle Enterprise Edition and doesn’t require Oracle Advanced Security Option license.
When data is transmitted from one location to another, encryption serves a crucial function in safeguarding it against potential threats posed by malicious actors. Encryption in transit employs various techniques to render data unreadable prior to its transmission. This process is particularly relevant in scenarios such as communication between a database and an application or website, where sensitive information is exchanged. Upon arrival at its destination, the data is then decrypted, ensuring that it can be accessed only by authorized parties.
By implementing encryption during transmission, banks can effectively mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. This is particularly important as attackers may attempt to “sniff” network traffic and intercept data packets, potentially compromising confidential content. While many organizations prioritize securing their data when it is stored—commonly referred to as encryption at rest, it is equally essential to focus on the security of messages exchanged between databases and applications.
Sensitive information that is stored in a database or that travels over enterprise networks, and the Internet can be protected by encryption algorithms. An encryption algorithm transforms information into a form that cannot be deciphered without a decryption key.
Oracle's Solution to The Security Challenges:
Oracle’s Advanced Security Options addresses the security challenges with its implementation of Encryption and Integrity. The following diagram briefly explains how encryption and integrity is implemented by Oracle’s Advanced Security Options.
Enforcing Oracle Network Encryption: Configuring sqlnet.ora for Secure Communication
To establish a secure Oracle Database environment, the foundational step is to configure Oracle Net Services to enforce both network encryption and data integrity. This ensures that all data transmitted between the client and server is protected from unauthorized access and tampering.
Server-Side Configuration (sqlnet.ora)
Begin by editing the sqlnet.ora file located in:
$ORACLE_HOME/network/admin
This file governs the behaviour of Oracle Net Services on the database server. Configure the following parameters to enforce encryption and specify the encryption algorithm:
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_SERVER = REQUIRED
# Enforces mandatory encryptions for all incoming connections
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_TYPES_SERVER = (AES256)
# Defines the encryption algorithm (AES-256)
Note: After updating the sqlnet.ora file, restart the Oracle Listener to apply the changes.
The parameters SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_TYPES_SERVER and SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_TYPES_CLIENT allow administrators to specify the acceptable encryption algorithms. Oracle supports a variety of options including AES128, AES192, and AES256.
While all three are secure, AES-256 is widely recommended—especially for environments with strict compliance requirements or handling highly sensitive data. Its increased key length offers superior protection against brute-force and potential future quantum computing threats.
Pro Tip
When setting both:
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_SERVER = REQUIRED
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_CLIENT = REQUIRED
We enforce mutual encryption. In this mode, both client and server must be encryption capable. If either side is misconfigured or lacks the proper settings, connection attempts will fail.
Let’s do Client-Side Configuration (sqlnet.ora)
On the client side, ensure that encryption settings mirror the server’s configuration to establish a secure communication channel. Edit the client-side sqlnet.ora file as follows:
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_CLIENT = REQUIRED # Enforces mandatory encryptions for all outgoing connections
SQLNET.ENCRYPTION_TYPES_CLIENT = (AES256) # Must match server’s algorithm
SQLNET.CRYPTO_CHECKSUM_CLIENT = REQUIRED # Enforces data integrity checks
This setup ensures that both encryption and cryptographic checksums are applied in both directions—providing confidentiality and data integrity across the Oracle Net stack.
By properly configuring both the server and client with consistent encryption settings, we not only meet compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX) but also protect our data from interception and tampering during transit.
Now it’s time to verify that encryption is functioning correctly, use the following SQL command to check the encryption status. Run at Client side:
select network_service_banner
from v$session_connect_info
where SID = sys_context(‘USERENV’,’SID’)
and network_service_banner like ‘%Encryption service adapter%’;
NETWORK_SERVICE_BANNER
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AES256 Encryption service adapter for Linux: Version 19.0.1.0.0 – Production
Finally, the implementation of encryption in transit is not merely a best practice; it is a fundamental component of a comprehensive data security strategy. Banking Organizations are strongly encouraged to adopt robust encryption measures to protect data during transmission, thereby ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information throughout its lifecycle.