Steve Jones thinks Microsoft is making a fundamental security mistake in the way they build features for the various editions of SQL Server. Read today's editorial and see if you agree.  Read more...

Steve Jones thinks Microsoft is making a fundamental security mistake in the way they build features for the various editions of SQL Server. Read today's editorial and see if you agree.  Read more...

Steve Jones thinks Microsoft is making a fundamental security mistake in the way they build features for the various editions of SQL Server. Read today's editorial and see if you agree.  Read more...

I need to encrypt my data within SQL Server and I plan on using the built-in encryption functionality in SQL Server 2005 and 2008. However, I'm looking at symmetric and asymmetric key algorithms and while I see information saying to use symmetric keys, I don't understand why. What's the difference between the two and why is a symmetric key algorithm preferred over the asymmetric key ones?  Read more...

Encryption of data at rest is becoming more and more crucial in today’s world. This tip is aimed to help businesses that do not have the budgets or resources to purchase hardware encryption tools or to upgrade to SQL 2008. It basically illustrates how to achive transparent file encryption with SQL 2005 or SQL 2000.  Read more...

Encryption is starting to become a necessity, not an option as we work with and store more sensitive data. A guest editorial from Andy Warren comments on our fears of implementing encrpytion and why we might want to just encrypt everything.  Read more...

I am aware of the WITH ENCRYPTION clause that is used to encrypt the code for objects like views, stored procedures and functions. It sort of fulfills my purpose and is easy to implement, but it does not cover all SQL Server objects. In this tip we look at another option to restrict users from viewing the definition/code of any SQL Server object.  Read more...

When you deal with encryption in your database, Steve Jones thinks you add a layer of complexity to your backup and recovery process. Do you agree? Answer today's poll.  Read more...

When you deal with encryption in your database, Steve Jones thinks you add a layer of complexity to your backup and recovery process. Do you agree? Answer today's poll.  Read more...

When you deal with encryption in your database, Steve Jones thinks you add a layer of complexity to your backup and recovery process. Do you agree? Answer today's poll.  Read more...

When you deal with encryption in your database, Steve Jones thinks you add a layer of complexity to your backup and recovery process. Do you agree? Answer today's poll.  Read more...

The battle to secure personal and business data is a tough one, and the consequences of mishandling sensitive data can be severe. In this guest editorial, John Magnabosco argues that it's high time people overcame their fear of encryption.  Read more...

Authenticators are additional data that gets encrypted along with the data to be stored in an encrypted manner. When it comes to decrypt the data, if the right authenticator isn't specified, SQL Server doesn't return the data in the decrypted form. Rather, a NULL value is returned, just as if the wrong key was used.  Read more...

A hash is a computation that transforms one set of data into another (hopefully smaller) set of data. So a hash on your 2,000 character blog post should generate a smaller, 10-20 byte value. In doing that, obviously there are many more possible 2,000...  Read more...

I've been tech editing an encryption book for SQL Server. It's long overdue, and I think it will be a nice addition to any DBA's library. It also addresses a complicated subject that Books Online has inadequately covered. In fact, they've...  Read more...

How do you keep the passwords and keys for encrypted data safe? Steve Jones comments on the challenges of working with keys and passwords.  Read more...

How do you keep the passwords and keys for encrypted data safe? Steve Jones comments on the challenges of working with keys and passwords.  Read more...

How do you keep the passwords and keys for encrypted data safe? Steve Jones comments on the challenges of working with keys and passwords.  Read more...

How do you keep the passwords and keys for encrypted data safe? Steve Jones comments on the challenges of working with keys and passwords.  Read more...

This Friday's poll looks at the encryption options for your code in SQL Server. Steve Jones asks if there is a benefit for these routines.  Read more...