create-a-database-master-key.md

title	Create a Database Master Key | Microsoft Docs
ms.custom
ms.date	03/14/2017
ms.prod	sql-server-2016
ms.reviewer
ms.suite
ms.technology	database-engine
ms.tgt_pltfrm
ms.topic	article
helpviewer_keywords	database master key [SQL Server], creating
ms.assetid	8cb24263-e97d-4e4d-9429-6cf494a4d5eb
caps.latest.revision	16
author	BYHAM
ms.author	rickbyh
manager	jhubbard
ms.workload	On Demand

Create a Database Master Key

This topic describes how to create a database master key in [!INCLUDEssCurrent] by using [!INCLUDEtsql].

In This Topic

• Before you begin:

  Security

• To create a database master key using Transact-SQL

Before You Begin

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. On the Standard bar, click New Query.

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

   -- Creates a database master key for the "AdventureWorks2012" database.   
   -- The key is encrypted using the password "23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe."  
   USE AdventureWorks2012;  
   GO  
   CREATE MASTER KEY ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '23987hxJ#KL95234nl0zBe';  
   GO  
   

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