The Default DBA
Defaults are important since so many people just accept them. Steve Jones thinks that SQL Server needs to add more defaults to the setup program that might help DBAs better manage their systems.
2012-12-04
234 reads
Editorials
Feedback is Encouraged
Microsoft is asking for feedback, more and more from customers. Steve Jones sees that as a good thing.
2012-12-03
63 reads
Grow Your Skills
The idea of moving to the cloud is scary, but it will happen for many of us. If not at this job, perhaps at the next. Learning more about the cloud is something Steve Jones thinks you should consider.
2012-12-03
439 reads
Don't Explain Too Much
Having management get too involved in technical details can cause problems. Steve Jones notes that technical people should minimize the details when communicating with management.
2012-11-29
285 reads
Regulators, Mount Up
If you are bound by HIPAA regulations, you may have more auditing in your future. If you're not, perhaps you should still pay attention to the criteria being used for auditing.
2012-11-28
124 reads
Targeted Learning
Today Steve Jones says your learning should have a plan. He uses an example from a recent conference where one motivated attendee came with a plan.
2012-11-27
199 reads
Password Insecurities
Tony Davis argues that the Standards and best practices exist to avoid being hacked, but implementing them requires time and investment and often there simply doesn't seem to be the will to do it.
2012-11-26
123 reads
Review Your Indexing
Today Steve Jones reminds us that we should analyze and re-evalute our indexing strategy on a regular basis.
2012-11-26
322 reads
The SQL Server Pro Awards
Phil Factor is pleasantly surprised by the SQL Server Pro awards, and talks about the thinking behind Down Tools Week.
2012-11-23
177 reads
2012-11-22
158 reads
Blogs
Resolving SQL Server Transaction Log Issues Efficiently
By Arun Sirpal
Transaction log issues are one of the quietest ways a healthy database turns into...
Adding an HTTP MCP Server to VSCode
By Steve Jones
I wrote earlier this week about the SQL MCP Server using the Data API...
Microsoft announces new cybersecurity AI multi-model
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers