Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • The Encryption Primer

    This talk deals with SQL Server encryption options. I have given a few variations, and you can get the different decks below.

    SQL Server has a number of encryption features that allow you to better secure your data. This session will examine the basics of encryption and cover the various ways in which you can encode and decode your data to protect it from unauthorized access. Cell level encryption, Transparent Data Encryption, and backup encryption will all be discussed. This session is designed for those who want to learn the basics of how to protect their data.

    This talk looks at the encryption options in SQL Server that are available, including the changes in SQL Server 2012. The agenda is:

    • What is Encryption
    • Encryption in SQL Server
    • Transparent Data Encryption
    • Hashing
    • Symmetric Keys
    • Asymmetric Keys
    • Certificates
    • SSL Communications

    The presentation features basic demos of how these features are implemented in SQL Server.

    Level: 200

    Length: 60-75 minutes

    Demo code:

    Slides:

    Presentation Schedule

    You can view the my speaking schedule here. The upcoming and past deliveries of this session are:

    1. Apr 27, 2013 – SQL Saturday #175 – Fargo
    2. Apr 10-12, 2013 – SQL Intersection, Las Vegas, NV
    3. Apr 9, 2013 – SQL Saturday #197
    4. Mar 9, 2013 – SQL Saturday #187
    5. Mar 7, 2013 – Richmond SQL Server User Group
    6. Nov 15, 2012 – Denver SQL Server Users Group
    7. Nov 13, 2012 – Boulder SQL Server Users Group
    8. Nov 5, 2012 – SQL in the City Seattle, WA 2012
    9. July 28, 2012 – SQL Saturday #144 Sacramento, CA
    10. June 9, 2012 – SQL Saturday #132 – Pensacola
    11. Apr 28, 2012 – SQL Saturday #131 – Phoenix
    12. Mar 26-29 – SQL Connections, Spring 2012

    Related Blog Posts

  • Unstructured Data in SQL Server

    Abstract:

    More and more of our data does not fit neatly into a structured, relational model of rows and columns of data. In this session, you will learn about how SQL Server stores unstructured data, with a special emphasis on how to use Filestream, which integrates SQL Server with the NTFS file system by storing varbinary(max) binary large object data as files stored within the file system. You will also learn about the new SQL Server 2012 filetable feature, which builds on Filestream and provides the ability to read, write, and update Filestream objects directly through the file system. This session is designed for DBAs and developers who need to learn how to manage large quantities of unstructured data.

    This covers SQL Server 2008, R2, and 2012. The basic Agenda:

    • What is unstructured data
    • Filestream
    • FileTable

    There are demos that look at how Filestream works and how FileTable can be used in SQL Server 2012.

    Level: 200

    Length: 60 Minutes

    Demo code: UnstructuredData.zip

    Slides: UnstructuredData.ppt

    Related Posts:

    Presentations:

    You can view my speaking schedule here: http://wp.me/P14wgJ-1tV

  • Vendor Selection

    salesman
    If only salesman were this cute and cuddly.

    Today’s editorial was originally published on Apr 29, 2007. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Server Connections.

    How you you pick a vendor for a product?

    Here’s how I’ve seen it work at some companies. A contract is coming up for renewal or a new need arises and some IT guys are asked to make a recommendation. So being good professionals, you do some research, download some evals, run some tests, and then try to pick the product that works best for you. “Best” is hard to define since the product needs to do a good job, meaning meet the goals set for it, but also be something you want to administer. You write this up and send it to your boss.

    Then about half the time, the product you hated gets selected. Even if you gave it a bad review or thought it couldn’t do the job. So why is that?

    My guess is that often someone played golf with someone else, or takes them to dinner or other entertainment and the decision maker makes the decision that’s best for them personally, not necessarily the company. I hate to be so cynical, but I see it happen over and over.

    I could be wrong and maybe one of these strategies is in place. Maybe someone is making a more strategic long term decision that it appears to be from the perspective of the IT worker. I’d like to think so, but I see so many other decisions made for the short term and not necessarily for the benefit of the company.

    Choosing vendors to be partners is hard, especially since they vendors are trying to sell software and make their numbers, not necessarily be a great partner for your business. And it can get worse if you are not a large customer. I have friends in the sales side of software and they readily admit that the smaller customers suffer since they just don’t produce enough revenue over time to receive the custom support they’ve often been promised during the sales cycle.

    I’m very much a believer in buy software and then maintain it yourself. And I think you can do this with Microsoft and an ERP package like SAP as well as you can with an Open Source package.

  • Off to Vegas for DevConnections

    A few last minute prep items for DevConnections and I leave in a few hours for Las Vegas. My first trip since last November, and it’s been a welcome break from being on the road. I suspect that won’t last and I’ll be traveling to more spots in the future, but for now I only have a few things planned.

    SQL Server Connections is a great conference, in a fun city, and I look forward to attending. Not as much social activity as the PASS Summit, but a more intimate feel, and a diverse audience, with the chance to see talks on Windows, Exchange, development topics, Sharepoint, and more.

    I’m doing three talks this time:

    Unstructured Data in SQL Server – a look at Filestream and Filetable

    Contained Databases in SQL Server 2012 – as the name says, a look at partial containment.

    An Encryption Primer – a basic look at encryption options and techniques in SQL Server.

    If you’re at the show, please stop by and say hi, either around one of my sessions, or anytime you see me walking around in the cowboy hat.

    If you’re a runner, we’ll likely be running each morning (Tue, Wed, and Thur) around the MGM at 6:45 or so. We should be in the lobby, and if you’re interested in joining us, feel free.