Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 6, 2025
Oracle Audit Vault and IBM Security Guardium Data Protection compete in the database security tools category. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection holds an advantage due to its broader security coverage and extensive customization options.
Features: Oracle Audit Vault offers database security with detailed audit collection, SQL traffic monitoring, and pre-built compliance reports. Important features include auditing database activities, capturing old and new values post-change, and providing standard reports for compliance. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection enhances data security with its data activity and file activity monitoring, extensive customization, and integration capabilities, making it suitable for advanced reporting needs. Its capability extends to monitoring various database environments and providing robust data protection features.
Room for Improvement: Oracle Audit Vault could improve its network failure detection, cloud flexibility, and documentation for setting up the database firewall. Users also desire simplified custom report creation. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection needs enhancements in its complex deployment process, resource consumption, and data encryption support for newer technologies. Improvements in configuration management and reporting capabilities are also noted by users.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Oracle Audit Vault is primarily an on-premises solution with mixed reviews on technical support, where some experience solid documentation and effective issue resolution. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is also mainly on-premises, with some cloud options available. While users note initial deployment challenges, they acknowledge improved technical support over time, suggesting a more responsive service compared to Oracle.
Pricing and ROI: Oracle Audit Vault is expensive, especially because of its licensing method based on database servers, though considered stable and comprehensive by users who find its pricing less competitive. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection, while also costly, offers more transparent licensing options and is perceived to provide better value due to its comprehensive features. It shows better ROI justification in larger environments due to its broader scope.
