What feature improves security for Oracle Autonomous Database connections?

SSL/TLS is a critical feature that enhances security for connections to Oracle Autonomous Database. This technology provides an encrypted channel between clients and the database, ensuring that any data transmitted across the network is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. By using SSL/TLS, the integrity and confidentiality of the communication are maintained, which is particularly important in cloud environments where data is often transmitted over potentially insecure networks.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), work by establishing a secure connection before any data is exchanged. This process involves the use of cryptographic protocols that authenticate the communicating parties and encrypts the data transferred, providing an essential layer of security for database connections.

In contrast, while multi-factor authentication and data encryption are also important security measures, they address different aspects of security. Multi-factor authentication ensures that only authorized users can access the database, and data encryption protects data at rest or in use. IP whitelisting restricts access based on network addresses, which is beneficial for managing which clients can connect but does not secure the data transmission itself.

Thus, SSL/TLS is specifically about securing the connection between the client and the database, making it a fundamental security feature for Oracle Autonomous Database.