Edition: Saturday, April 27th, 2024

Over the past several weeks we've implemented a CA, generated a certificate, and enabled SQL Server network encryption.  We validated encryption was being used via the sys.dm_exec_connections dmv.  This week, I'll take the validation one...

Edition: Saturday, April 20th, 2024

For a DBA, securing SQL Server is a critical aspect of the job.  Securing data at rest, data in motion, and data in use (in memory) are all areas a potential attacker could focus on.  This month, I've focused on "securing data in...

Edition: Saturday, April 13th, 2024

Last week, we ended after the initial CA configuration.  This week, we'll enable HTTPS for our Web Enrollment site.  I'll cover an issue I encountered when using the Edge browser to request a user certificate via Web Enrollment and a...

Edition: Saturday, April 6th, 2024

In the last edition, we concluded after installing Active Directory Certificate Services.  

Today, we'll configure the new Certificate Authority as an Enterprise CA.  We're installing an Enterprise CA because they're integrated with...

Edition: Saturday, March 30th, 2024

Most new DBAs aren't familiar with certificates, or generating certificate requests, to be used by SQL Server. 

I know I wasn't.  Early in my career, I had worked in environments that didn't require encrypted connections to SQL Server so I...

Edition: Saturday, February 3rd, 2024

In today's issue, I will show how to perform a simple installation of Active Directory, cover basic concepts, and explain why it's crucial to a DBA.  

For DBAs, understanding how SQL Server integrates with Active Directory is important for...