Database encryption in SQL 2005

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Database encryption in SQL 2005

tyang

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Points: 2231
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March 8, 2012 at 8:25 am

#391757

Is it possible to encryp whole database in SQL 2005? How to implement?

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

What exactly do you mean by 'encrypt the entire database'? Encrypt every column in every table? Encrypt the database files and backup files?

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

tyang SSCrazy Points: 2231 More actions · Answer 2

I need to encrpt a user database not object on SQL 2005. Is it possible? if so, which way is best way for encrption, in database level or file system level?

Elliott Whitlow SSC Guru Points: 102402 More actions · Answer 3

You might look at a whole disk encryption package. But do NOT use EFS, it will incur horrible performance penalties, I believe it forces the calls to be synchronous.. And SQL 2005 does not support TDE so a SQL solution to what you are asking is not available.

However, with all that said, WHY would you do this? What are you trying to protect against? Most databases don't contain more than a few columns of data that should probably be encrypted so I am generally against whole DB encryption but we need to understand the why's of what you are doing..

CEWII

MasterDB Hall of Fame Points: 3054 More actions · Answer 4

In 2005 it is not possible to encrypt the whole database. TDE is the feature which is available in sql server 2008 with this feature you can encrypt the complete database.