If you’re embarking on a fresh installation of SQL Server 2022, you might be in for a surprise. Gone are the familiar days of the SQL Server Native Client being a core component of SQL Server installations. This blog post will discuss the recent changes in SQL Server 2022 and how to navigate server alias configuration in this new landscape.
Category: Security
Capturing SQL Server Inventory with PowerShell
Maintaining an accurate and comprehensive inventory of your SQL Server environment is crucial for effective database management, ensuring security, and meeting compliance requirements. With PowerShell, database administrators can automate the collection of detailed information about SQL Server instances and databases, streamlining the inventory process. This blog post introduces a PowerShell script designed to efficiently gather SQL Server inventory data, separating instance-level information from database-specific details into two distinct reports.
Enhancing Data Durability with SQL Server’s REQUIRED SYNCHRONIZED SECONDARIES TO COMMIT Feature
SQL Server 2017 marked a significant advancement in high availability architectures by introducing the REQUIRED_SYNCHRONIZED_SECONDARIES_TO_COMMIT setting. This feature enhances data protection and integrity within Availability Groups (AGs) by meticulously controlling the transaction commit process across replicas. Its role has continued to be pivotal in subsequent releases, including SQL Server 2022, showcasing Microsoft’s commitment to robust data protection mechanisms.
Understanding the Implications of the TRUSTWORTHY Database Setting in SQL Server
As a SQL Server DBA, understanding the nuances of database settings is necessary for maintaining security and integrity. One such setting that often becomes a topic of discussion due to its significant impact on security is the TRUSTWORTHY database setting. The TRUSTWORTHY database setting in SQL Server is a configuration option that affects the security of certain database operations, particularly those involving code execution contexts. It plays a critical role in the security context of modules that use WITH EXECUTE AS, as well as CLR (Common Language Runtime) assemblies marked as EXTERNAL_ACCESS or UNSAFE.
Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) in SQL Server
Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) is an important security feature designed to protect sensitive information in database environments like SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. It works by masking sensitive data from non-privileged users, thus enhancing data security and compliance without altering the actual data. DDM operates by hiding sensitive data in query results, allowing only privileged users to view the unmasked data. It’s especially valuable in environments requiring data protection without compromising user experience.
Implementing Row-Level Security in SQL Server
Row-level security (RLS) in SQL Server is a feature that allows database administrators to control access to rows in a database table based on the characteristics of the users accessing them. This can be particularly important in environments where data privacy and security are critical. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to implement RLS in SQL Server.
Contained Databases in SQL Server: Improving Database Portability and Security
Contained databases in SQL Server signify a paradigm shift in the world of database management, marking a move towards more self-contained and autonomous database systems. This approach redefines the traditional relationship between databases and the SQL Server instances they reside in, bringing a multitude of benefits in terms of management, portability, and isolation.
SQL Server ‘sa’ Account: Role and Risks of the SQL Server Superuser
While familiarizing yourself with SQL Server, you’ll quickly encounter the all-powerful ‘sa’ account. It’s often a topic of debate among database administrators and security experts. What exactly is it, what are its capabilities, and should you consider disabling it? In this guide, we’ll unravel the story of the SQL Server ‘sa’ account and explore why it’s an essential consideration for your database security.