Security in SQL Server Database Engine

Overview

SQL Server provides a comprehensive security framework that helps protect data at rest and in motion, manage user access, and audit activities. Understanding the core concepts enables you to implement robust security controls tailored to your organization’s requirements.

• Authentication – Verifies the identity of users and applications connecting to the server.
• Authorization – Controls what authenticated principals can do within the database.
• Encryption – Protects data from unauthorized access using Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encrypted, and column-level encryption.
• Auditing – Captures security‑related events for compliance and forensic analysis.
• Best Practices – Recommendations to secure your SQL Server deployment.

Quick Start Checklist

1. Enable Windows Authentication wherever possible.
2. Configure server‑level login policies (password complexity, expiration).
3. Implement Role‑Based Access Control (RBAC) using database roles.
4. Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for the databases.
5. Configure Auditing to capture login failures and permission changes.

Related Topics

• Authentication
• Authorization
• Encryption
• Auditing
• Best Practices