CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY

Create a symmetric key in the database.

Syntax:
      CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY Sym_key 
         [AUTHORIZATION owner]
            WITH key_options [, ... n]
               ENCRYPTION BY crypt [ , ... n ] 

Options
   crypt:
      CERTIFICATE certificate
      PASSWORD = 'password' 
      SYMMETRIC KEY symmetric_key_name 
      ASYMMETRIC KEY asym_key_name    

   key_options:
      KEY_SOURCE = 'pass_phrase'
      ALGORITHM = algorithm
      IDENTITY_VALUE = 'identity_phrase'

   algorithm:
      DES | TRIPLE_DES | RC2 | RC4 | RC4_128 |
      DESX | AES_128 | AES_192 | AES_256 

Key:
   Sym_key     Unique name for the symmetric key.
               Temporary keys should begin with #
   password       Used to derive a TRIPLE_DES key, p/w complexity is checked.
   symmetric_key_name Used to encrypt the key being created. 
                      Must already be open
   asym_key_name   Asymmetric key used to encrypt the key being created.
                   Must already be open
   pass_phrase     A pass phrase from which to derive the key.
   identity_phrase A phrase used to generate a GUID - for data encryption with a temporary key.

RC4 and RC4_128 are not recommended for use with sensitive data.

Temporary keys are only valid for the current session.

Examples

CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY ss64 WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256
    ENCRYPTION BY CERTIFICATE cert64;
GO

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful" ~ Herman Cain

Related Commands:

ALTER SYMMETRIC KEY
DROP SYMMETRIC KEY
sys.symmetric_keys