Implement object-level encryption

Data security and privacy are critical concerns for organizations when storing sensitive information in the cloud. Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions offer robust security features to protect data at rest and in transit. One such feature is object-level encryption, which allows for granular control over data encryption within a database.

Object-level encryption in Azure SQL Solutions utilizes the concept of transparent data encryption (TDE) to encrypt individual database objects. TDE protects data by performing real-time encryption and decryption of data pages as they are read from and written to the database disk. With object-level encryption, you can encrypt specific columns, tables, or files, adding an additional layer of security to your sensitive data.

To implement object-level encryption in Azure SQL Solutions, follow these steps:

1. Create an Azure SQL database: Before enabling object-level encryption, you need to create an Azure SQL database where you will apply the encryption. You can create the database through the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, Azure CLI, or any other supported method.
2. Enable transparent data encryption: Object-level encryption relies on transparent data encryption to provide the underlying encryption capabilities. To enable transparent data encryption for your Azure SQL database, navigate to the “Transparent Data Encryption” blade in the Azure portal and toggle the encryption setting to “On.” This enables encryption for the entire database.
3. Identify the objects to encrypt: Once transparent data encryption is enabled, you can identify specific objects that you want to encrypt within the database. Objects can include individual columns, tables, or files. It is important to assess the sensitivity of the data and choose objects accordingly.
4. Use column-level encryption: Column-level encryption is one way to implement object-level encryption in Azure SQL Solutions. You can use column encryption keys and column encryption keys stored in Azure Key Vault to encrypt specific columns. By encrypting sensitive columns, even if someone gains unauthorized access to the data, they will only see encrypted values.

To use column-level encryption, follow these additional steps:

• Create a column encryption key: A column encryption key is a symmetric key used to encrypt and decrypt data in specific columns. You can create a column encryption key using the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, or Azure CLI. Ensure that you store the column encryption key securely, preferably in Azure Key Vault.
• Configure column encryption: After creating a column encryption key, you need to configure column encryption for the specific columns in your database. You can use T-SQL statements to specify encryption properties for each column.
• Encrypt columns: Finally, you can encrypt the desired columns by referencing the column encryption key and the corresponding encryption type in T-SQL statements. For example:
  CREATE TABLE dbo.EncryptedTable
(
ID INT PRIMARY KEY,
FirstName NVARCHAR(100) ENCRYPTED WITH (COLUMN_ENCRYPTION_KEY = ColumnEncryptionKey, ENCRYPTION_TYPE = Deterministic),
LastName NVARCHAR(100) ENCRYPTED WITH (COLUMN_ENCRYPTION_KEY = ColumnEncryptionKey, ENCRYPTION_TYPE = Deterministic)
)

By encrypting specific columns, you ensure that even if the data gets compromised, the encrypted values remain secure.

It’s important to note that implementing object-level encryption may have performance implications. Encrypting and decrypting data can put additional load on the database server. Consider the performance impact and test thoroughly before implementing object-level encryption in a production environment.

In conclusion, implementing object-level encryption in Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions adds an extra layer of security to your sensitive data at rest. By leveraging transparent data encryption and column-level encryption, you can encrypt specific columns, tables, or files, providing granular control over data protection. Ensure you follow best practices and regularly review and update your encryption configurations to maintain the security of your Azure SQL database.