# Introducing the Arc Q3 2026 Release

**URL:** <https://community.cdata.com/t/introducing-the-arc-q3-2026-release/1316>\
**Category:** CData Arc\
**Tags:** article, update, arc, cdata-arc, news, release\
**Created:** [July 23, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cdata.com/t/introducing-the-arc-q3-2026-release/1316 "2026-07-23T16:34:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Luc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cdata/user_avatar/community.cdata.com/luc/32/1094_2.png) [@Luc](https://community.cdata.com/u/Luc)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cdata.com/t/introducing-the-arc-q3-2026-release/1316/1 "2026-07-23T16:34:55Z")

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**We’re excited to announce the launch of the CData Arc Q3 2026 release (v26.3),** delivering powerful new capabilities built around security, operational visibility, and configuration control. This release brings application-level encryption at rest, a built in MCP server for AI-powered diagnostics, local Git version control, and a guided database migration utility alongside improvements to scripting, connectivity, and file transfer.

**Here’s what’s new in this release:**

**🔐 Encryption at Rest**

- Arc can now encrypt all message data at rest using AES-256-GCM, helping organizations meet PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX compliance requirements without any changes to existing workflows.
- Four configurable modes give teams full control over the transition, from a compatibility mode for gradual rollout to a strict mode for environments that must reject plaintext files entirely.

**🤖 AI Diagnostics via Built-In MCP Server**

- Arc now ships with a built-in MCP server, letting AI clients like Claude Desktop, GitHub Copilot CLI, and OpenAI Codex connect directly to a running Arc instance and answer diagnostic questions in natural language without touching the Arc UI.
- The server exposes 14 read only tools covering workspaces, connectors, messages, logs, certificates, and system health, enabled by default and respecting all existing access controls.

**📝 Version Control Enhancements**

- Teams can now enable a Local repository option that creates a standalone Git repo directly on the Arc server; no remote Git server required; with full commit history and branching available from day one.
- Configuration diffs on connector and workspace settings now display in a structured, form based layout showing old and new values side by side, replacing raw unified-diff text.

**🗄 Database Migration Utility**

- Arc now includes a built-in migration utility under Settings \> Advanced that moves all application data from the embedded database to SQL Server, MySQL, or PostgreSQL with no external tools, no data loss, and crash recovery built in.

**🔌 New Connectors, Scripting, and Connectivity**

- A new Python connector runs Python natively in flows, a new AES connector handles encryption and decryption directly in Arc, and ArcScript gains a \_state item for persistent key/value storage across executions.
- Database connectors now include a visual JOIN designer for multi-table queries without SQL, the API Profile catalog is now accessible in Arc’s Connections interface, and NetSuite custom schemas can be managed directly from the connection settings UI.
- RBAC is extended to both Connections and Flow APIs, AI-assisted mapping now handles more complex field relationships, and a new service account type supports token and OAuth-only authentication for automated systems.

**⚙ Platform and File Transfer Improvements**

- Log Pattern Analysis groups similar log entries on the Activity page; connector-level service status indicators now appear directly on server-type connector pages; and the Admin API gains a moveConnector action and two new resources exposing workspace flow topology.
- SFTP and FTP connectors support date macros in remote paths; Email Receive gains a configurable archive folder; SFTP Server adds a Finalize on Disconnect setting and configurable Home Directory; and the Connector Backoff UI now surfaces a clear status indicator when a connector enters backoff mode.

**⬆ Ready to upgrade?**

If your Arc install is deployed on-premises, visit our website to [download the latest version](https://arc.cdata.com/support/builds/).

If you are deployed on Arc Cloud, please use our [support ticketing system](https://arc.cdata.com/support/) to request an upgrade.

**📖 For a deeper dive** into these new features, visit our [documentation](https://docs.arc.cdata.com/26.3/self-hosted/en/getting-started) or contact our support team. Let us know if you have any questions or need assistance upgrading.

Read the release blog [here](https://www.cdata.com/blog/cdata-arc-release-q3-2026).