Connor McDonald explores how Oracle Database security and automation help organizations protect sensitive data, simplify database maintenance, and manage evolving AI security risks. From automated patching with AutoUpgrade to data redaction and Deep Data Security in Oracle AI Database 26ai, discover how Oracle combines database automation with identity-aware access controls to support secure enterprise applications and AI agents.

In this episode of Digital Impact Radio Series 9, Franco Ucci speaks with Connor McDonald about the growing importance of database security as artificial intelligence changes the cybersecurity landscape. Connor explains why AI-powered tools are increasing the urgency of security updates and why organizations should reconsider traditional patch management practices. He discusses Oracle Database release updates, security patches, and AutoUpgrade, which helps database administrators automate patch selection, preparation, installation, and rollback processes while reducing manual effort.

The conversation also explores Oracle Autonomous Database and how managed database services can reduce administrative overhead by automating routine operations, including patching. Connor shares why autonomous database capabilities are particularly valuable for organizations looking to simplify database management while maintaining access to enterprise database functionality.

Franco and Connor then examine security enhancements in Oracle AI Database 26ai, including improvements to Data Redaction that make it easier to protect sensitive information within existing applications. Connor also introduces Deep Data Security, explaining how declarative security policies, data roles, row-level access controls, and integration with external identity systems help organizations manage access to enterprise data.

The episode concludes with a discussion of AI agents and database security, highlighting how Deep Data Security can help trace database interactions through agents and applications back to the originating user. For database administrators, developers, security professionals, and IT leaders, this episode provides practical insights into Oracle Database automation, data protection, identity management, and securing enterprise data in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

Ruiqi Jiang explains how the APEX Graph Visualization Plug-in brings Oracle Graph into Oracle APEX applications for interactive exploration of connected data. Developers can visualize vertices and edges, adjust graph layouts, filter data, customize styling, and connect graph interactions with APEX application processes.

In this episode of Digital Impact Radio Series 9, Franco Ucci speaks with Ruiqi Jiang about Oracle Graph and the APEX Graph Visualization Plug-in, which brings interactive property graph visualization into Oracle APEX applications. Ruiqi explains how Oracle Graph provides built-in capabilities in Oracle Database for representing and querying connected data using property graphs, while the plug-in provides a front-end visualization layer that developers can add as a region within an APEX application.

The conversation explores how developers can use the plug-in to render and interact with vertices and edges, change graph layouts, group or ungroup elements, filter connected data, and customize the appearance of graph visualizations. Ruiqi also discusses ways to provide richer application experiences through node tooltips, interactive page redirects, and AJAX processes.

The episode also looks at the broader developer experience around graph technology, including the GVT library, JavaScript, Visual Studio Code, Python, and Jupyter notebooks. For developers working with Oracle APEX and connected data, the discussion provides an introduction to combining Oracle Graph capabilities with interactive application experiences.

Oracle LiveStacks helps learners explore working, industry-relevant applications before diving into the technologies and architecture behind them. Kevin Lazarz and Matt Howalik explain how LiveStacks combines Oracle LiveLabs with Oracle AI Database 26ai capabilities to connect business outcomes with practical hands-on learning.

In this episode of Digital Impact Radio Series 9, Franco Ucci speaks with Kevin Lazarz and Matt Howalik about LiveStacks on Oracle LiveLabs and a new approach to hands-on technology learning. Instead of beginning with individual product features, LiveStacks provides fully configured applications that let learners experience an industry scenario and its business outcomes before exploring how the underlying architecture works.
Kevin and Matt explain how LiveStacks complements the hundreds of technical workshops already available through Oracle LiveLabs. Learners can begin with a working application, understand the use case, and then explore the technologies that make it possible. The discussion covers examples including AI lakehouse architectures, real-time data ingestion, change data capture, medallion architecture, vector search, JSON, property graphs, and AI capabilities within Oracle AI Database 26ai.
The conversation also explores Select AI, Select AI agents, natural language interaction with data, embedded AI models, and private AI services. Kevin and Matt explain how learners can deploy LiveStacks into their own environments, modify the applications, connect them with AI agents, and then use LiveLabs workshops to understand individual capabilities in greater depth. The result is a practical learning journey that connects real-world applications and business outcomes with the architecture and technologies behind them.