Online Documentation for SQL Manager for SQL server

Symmetric Keys

In SQL Server 2005 and higher, data can be encrypted with a hierarchical encryption and key management infrastructure. Each layer encrypts the layer below it by using a combination of the following mechanisms for encryption: symmetric keys, asymmetric keys, certificates.

A Symmetric key is a single key that is used for both encryption and decryption. Encryption and decryption by using a symmetric key is fast and suitable for routine use with sensitive data in the database.

Symmetric Key Editor allows you to define symmetric key properties. It opens automatically when you create a new symmetric key and is available on editing an existing one.

To open a symmetric key in Symmetric Key Editor, double-click it in the DB Explorer tree.

• Using Navigation bar and Toolbar
• Creating/editing symmetric key
• Browsing object dependencies
• Viewing DDL definition
• Setting object permissions