create-a-database-master-key.md

title	Create a Database Master Key | Microsoft Docs
ms.custom
ms.date	09/12/2019
ms.prod	sql
ms.prod_service	database-engine, sql-database, sql-data-warehouse, pdw
ms.reviewer	vanto
ms.technology	security
ms.topic	conceptual
helpviewer_keywords	database master key [SQL Server], creating
ms.assetid	8cb24263-e97d-4e4d-9429-6cf494a4d5eb
author	jaszymas
ms.author	jaszymas
monikerRange	>=aps-pdw-2016||=azuresqldb-current||=azure-sqldw-latest||>=sql-server-2016||=sqlallproducts-allversions||>=sql-server-linux-2017||=azuresqldb-mi-current

Create a Database Master Key

[!INCLUDEappliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md] This topic describes how to create a database master key in [!INCLUDEssCurrent] by using [!INCLUDEtsql].

Security

Permissions

Requires CONTROL permission on the database.

Using Transact-SQL

To create a database master key

1. Choose a password for encrypting the copy of the master key that will be stored in the database.

2. In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of [!INCLUDEssDE].

3. Expand System Databases, right-click master and then click New Query.

4. Copy and paste the following example into the query window and click Execute.

     -- Creates the master key.
     -- The key is encrypted using the password "23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe."  
     CREATE MASTER KEY ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe';  
   

For more information, see CREATE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL).