The CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY statement is used in SQL Server to create a symmetric key, which can be used for encryption and decryption of data. A symmetric key uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. Here’s how to use the CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY statement to create a new symmetric key:
Syntax
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY key_name
WITH ALGORITHM = algorithm_name
ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'your_password';
Parameters
- key_name: The name you want to assign to the symmetric key.
- algorithm_name: The encryption algorithm that you want to use. Some common options are AES, DES, TRIPLE_DES, and RC4. You can also specify the key length (e.g., AES_256, AES_128).
- PASSWORD: A password that will be used to encrypt the symmetric key.
Example
Here’s an example of creating a symmetric key using the AES algorithm with a 256-bit key size, encrypted by a password:
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey
WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256
ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'StrongPassword123!';
Using the Symmetric Key
After you create a symmetric key, you typically need to open the key before using it for encryption or decryption:
-- Open the symmetric key
OPEN SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey
DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'StrongPassword123!';
-- Encrypt data
DECLARE @PlainText NVARCHAR(100) = 'Sensitive Data';
DECLARE @CipherText VARBINARY(128);
SET @CipherText = EncryptByKey(Key_GUID('MySymmetricKey'), @PlainText);
-- Decrypt data
DECLARE @DecryptedText NVARCHAR(100);
SET @DecryptedText = CONVERT(NVARCHAR(100), DecryptByKey(@CipherText));
-- Close the symmetric key when done
CLOSE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey;
Important Considerations
1. Permissions: Ensure that the user has the appropriate permissions to create symmetric keys, such as the CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY permission.
2. Key Security: Use strong passwords and safeguard sensitive keys to protect your data.
3. Management: Manage your keys carefully, considering key lifecycle management, including rotation and expiration.
4. Encryption and Decryption: Always remember to open the symmetric key using the correct password before you perform encryption or decryption operations.
By following these steps, you can successfully create and manage symmetric keys in SQL Server for your encryption needs.