- What Is Oracle Database Vault and Why Does It Matter
- Enterprise Edition Exclusive: Prerequisites for Using Database Vault
- Licensing Options: Processor vs. Named User Plus
- Cost Implications and Pricing
- Common Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Expert Recommendations
- Checklist: 5 Actions to Take
- FAQs
1. What Is Oracle Database Vault and Why Does It Matter
Oracle Database Vault is an add-on security feature for Oracle Database that helps organisations restrict access to sensitive data, even from highly privileged users such as DBAs. It introduces mechanisms including realms and command rules to enforce segregation of duties and block unauthorised activities within the database.
Enterprises use Database Vault to fulfil regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX, GDPR, PCI-DSS) and safeguard against insider threats. Importantly, Oracle Database Vault licensing is separate from the database licence — you must explicitly licence this feature to use it. The combination of its security benefits and its licensing complexity makes it a critical area of focus for IT asset management.
Database Vault is one of Oracle’s most commonly mis-licensed options. The software components may be installed by default with Oracle Database, and a single accidental enablement — even in a test environment — generates feature usage statistics that Oracle will flag in an audit. Proactive monitoring is essential.
Database Vault is part of Oracle’s broader family of extra-cost database options and packs. Unlike some options that provide performance features, Database Vault is a security control — it restricts who can do what inside the database. This makes it particularly attractive to regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, government) where demonstrating access controls is a compliance requirement.
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Download White Paper →2. Enterprise Edition Exclusive: Prerequisites for Using Database Vault
Oracle Database Vault can only be used with Oracle Database Enterprise Edition (EE). It is not included in the base EE licence and cannot be enabled on Standard Edition or any other edition. In practice, the Database Vault software components may be installed by default with Oracle Database; however, using them on a Standard Edition database violates Oracle’s licensing policy.
For example, if an administrator accidentally enables Database Vault on a Standard Edition 2 instance, Oracle’s audit tools will log that usage. During an audit, the enterprise would be required to upgrade that database to Enterprise Edition and purchase Database Vault licences — a costly remediation.
Run Database Vault only on properly licensed Enterprise Edition databases, and ensure you have purchased the Database Vault option before enabling it. Even brief test usage without a licence generates feature usage statistics that Oracle will reference during audits.
3. Licensing Options: Processor vs. Named User Plus
Oracle Database Vault offers two licensing models, and the model must match how your Oracle Database is licensed:
Processor-Based Licensing
If your Oracle database is licensed by Processor (common in enterprise deployments), Database Vault must be licensed for every processor/core in that environment. Oracle’s core factor table is used to calculate the number of licences needed per hardware core. Essentially, if your database is running on 4 processors (after the core-factor adjustment), you need 4 processor licences for Database Vault. This model is suited for environments with high or undefined user counts, as it allows unlimited user access on those processors.
Named User Plus (NUP) Licensing
If your database is licensed by Named User Plus, you must purchase the same number of NUP licences for Database Vault as you have for the database. Oracle requires a minimum of 25 named users per processor for Enterprise Edition, and that minimum applies to the option as well. This model can be cost-effective if you have a limited and well-defined user population.
| Aspect | Processor Licensing | Named User Plus Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Metric basis | Physical cores × core factor | Individual users/devices accessing the database |
| DB Vault must match | Same number of Processor licences as the database | Same number of NUP licences as the database |
| Minimum requirement | All cores in server (after core factor) | 25 NUP per Processor, or actual user count — whichever is greater |
| Ideal for | High or unknown user counts, internet-facing apps | Small, well-defined user populations (e.g., internal dev/test) |
| List price | ~$11,500 per Processor | ~$230 per Named User Plus |
| Metric mixing | Not permitted — Database Vault metric must exactly mirror the database metric | |
The one-to-one matching rule is absolute: the count of Database Vault licences (users or processors) must exactly equal the count for the underlying database licence. You cannot licence Database Vault for only a subset of processors or a subset of named users — it is all or nothing for each database instance.
4. Cost Implications and Pricing
Oracle Database Vault is a separately priced option that can significantly increase your Oracle Database licensing costs. As of 2025, the list price for Database Vault is approximately $11,500 per Processor or $230 per Named User Plus. These costs are in addition to your Oracle Database Enterprise Edition licence fees. Moreover, annual support fees (typically ~22% of the licence price) apply to Database Vault licences, adding to the ongoing cost.
At list prices, enabling Database Vault can add roughly 20–25% to the cost of an Oracle database environment per processor. To see how this fits within the broader Oracle price list, consult our Oracle Price List Guide.
Pricing Comparison by Scenario
| Scenario | EE Database Cost | DB Vault Add-On | Total (Licence Only) | Annual Support (~22%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-processor server (Processor metric) | $95,000 | $23,000 | $118,000 | $25,960/yr |
| 4-processor server (Processor metric) | $190,000 | $46,000 | $236,000 | $51,920/yr |
| 50 Named Users (NUP metric) | $23,750 | $11,500 | $35,250 | $7,755/yr |
| 100 Named Users (NUP metric) | $47,500 | $23,000 | $70,500 | $15,510/yr |
Note: Prices are Oracle list (EE at ~$47,500/processor, ~$950/NUP). Enterprises often negotiate discounts. Annual support (~22%) is additional.
Cost Optimisation Strategies
Given these prices, enterprises should carefully plan where and how they deploy Database Vault. Some organisations include Database Vault in an Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) or enterprise licence bundle to get better pricing, especially if they anticipate broad usage. Others leverage Oracle’s cloud offerings — Database Vault is included at no extra cost in certain Oracle Cloud database service tiers (e.g., “High Performance” or “Extreme Performance” editions on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure), which can be a strategic way to get the functionality without separate on-premises licensing fees.
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For ITAM professionals, it is crucial to be aware of common pitfalls that lead to non-compliance or unexpected costs with Oracle Database Vault:
| Pitfall | What Happens | Impact | Avoidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using DB Vault on Standard Edition | Database Vault enabled on SE/SE2 instance — components may be installed by default | Must upgrade to Enterprise Edition AND purchase DB Vault licences — potentially hundreds of thousands in unplanned cost | Disable or remove DB Vault components on all Standard Edition installations |
| Enabling without a licence | Feature turned on (even for testing) without purchasing licence — Oracle’s DBA_FEATURE_USAGE_STATISTICS records the usage | Audit finding requires back-licences plus support retroactively and possible penalties | Always secure the licence before enabling, even for testing. If you test and decide not to use it, disable it and document the decision |
| Partial or mismatched coverage | DB Vault licensed for fewer processors or users than the database — e.g., 50 out of 100 users | Non-compliant — coverage must be 100%. Oracle will require full true-up to match the database | Ensure DB Vault licence count exactly matches the database licence scope. There is no concept of “partial licensing” |
| Multitenant misconception | DB Vault enabled at CDB level but only some PDBs need it — assumption that individual PDBs can be licensed separately | Must licence the entire CDB for DB Vault. All PDBs in that container require coverage | Only enable DB Vault in a multitenant container if you intend to licence every PDB. Otherwise, use separate non-multitenant instances |
| Virtualisation exposure | DB Vault deployed in VMware, Hyper-V, or other soft-partitioned environments — Oracle may require licensing all physical hosts in the cluster | Exponential licence multiplication — entire cluster’s cores may need to be licensed for EE + DB Vault | Isolate DB Vault workloads on dedicated physical servers or use Oracle-approved hard partitioning |
Oracle Database components — including Database Vault, Advanced Security, and other options — are often installed by default even when not licensed. Oracle’s feature usage tracking (DBA_FEATURE_USAGE_STATISTICS) runs automatically. If any user or automated process triggers a Database Vault feature, the usage is recorded permanently. Run regular internal checks using Oracle’s scripts to ensure no unlicensed options have been accidentally activated. For more on this risk, see our guide to Oracle Advanced Security Licensing.
A mid-sized healthcare provider discovered during a proactive internal review that Database Vault had been enabled on three Standard Edition 2 databases by a DBA who assumed the feature was included. An Oracle audit would have required upgrading all three to Enterprise Edition (~$285,000 per server at list) plus purchasing Database Vault licences (~$69,000), totalling over $1.4 million in unplanned spending.
With independent advisory support, the organisation disabled Database Vault on the SE2 instances, documented the remediation, and implemented governance controls to prevent recurrence — resolving the exposure at zero additional licence cost.
6. Expert Recommendations
- Restrict to licensed environments only. Only enable Oracle Database Vault on Oracle Database Enterprise Edition instances for which you have purchased the Database Vault option. Ensure no Standard Edition databases have this feature active.
- Align metrics exactly. Always match the Database Vault licensing metric to your database’s metric (Processor or NUP) and in the same quantities. This alignment eliminates any ambiguity and ensures compliance. If in doubt, consult our Processor Licensing Guide or NUP Licensing Guide.
- Audit and disable unused options regularly. Run Oracle’s
DBA_FEATURE_USAGE_STATISTICSqueries periodically across all database instances. If Database Vault (or any other extra-cost option) is installed but not licensed, disable or uninstall it to prevent accidental activation. Incorporate these checks into your regular compliance audits. - Maintain proper records. Include Database Vault in your software asset management records. Keep documentation of where it is deployed and the licences you have. This prepares you for any Oracle audit and helps internal stakeholders understand the deployment scope.
- Plan licensing in advance. If a project requires Database Vault functionality, engage procurement and budgeting early. It may be beneficial to negotiate Database Vault licences as part of a larger Oracle agreement or consider Oracle’s cloud services that bundle it. Proactive planning ensures you get the best pricing and avoids last-minute scrambles under audit pressure.
- Understand Multitenant implications. In Oracle Multitenant environments, if Database Vault is enabled at the CDB level, all PDBs in that container require licensing. Plan your architecture to isolate Database Vault usage to dedicated containers or non-multitenant instances if broad licensing is not cost-effective.
- Evaluate cloud alternatives. Database Vault is included at no extra cost in certain Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) database service tiers. If your organisation is considering cloud migration, this can be a strategic way to access the functionality without separate on-premises licensing fees. Assess total cost of ownership carefully.
- Seek independent expert advice. Oracle Database Vault licensing intersects with Enterprise Edition licensing, core factors, virtualisation rules, and Multitenant architecture. The combination of these variables creates significant compliance risk. Engage an independent Oracle licensing specialist to validate your position before any audit or renewal.
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