Voice of the DBA

Tag: speaking

  • Learning All About Always Encrypted at DevConnections

    Like the alliteration in the title? I almost removed it, but decided it had a nice ring. Maybe that should be the title of my IT/DevConnections (Oct 10-13, 2016) session other than End to End Always Encrypted in SQL Server 2016.

    I loved seeing encryption being natively built into SQL Server 2005 (and beyond), but the addition of Always Encrypted in Azure SQL and SQL Server 2016 really intrigued me. In fact, I think many people were very excited about this feature. In End to End Always Encrypted in SQL Server 2016, I cover the detailed workings and setup of the feature and how it can be included in your applications. There’s a lot to think about with encryption features, and I hope to both inform attendees as well as ensure they have a healthy respect for the limitations.

    I’ve given variations of this talk in 2016 and quite a few people have walked away excited, but also re-thinking the “it just works” message from Microsoft’s marketing people.

    If you’re looking for some training, some inspiration, and are a full-stack developer, or multi-technology IT worker, think about coming out to DevConnections. There are a slew of technologies being covered (VS, ASP.NET, C#7, Azure, PowerShell, AWS, SQL Server, Sharepoint, Exchange, Hyper-V and more).

    Register today, use 500SPKR to save $500, and I’ll see you in Las Vegas this October.

  • Finding out Who’s Touching Your Database at DevConnections

    I’ve got a session this fall at the IT/DevConnections conference (Oct 10-13, 2016) called “Who’s Touching My Database?” This is something I’ve worked on for a few years, but never really gotten it to the point where I was ready to deliver it.

    Earlier this year, with all the security issues I’ve seen across the last couple years, and having had some questions from customers of Redgate, I decided to finish this talk off. I submitted it to DevConnections and started trying to focus the talk down to showing ways in which you can audit the activity on your database server.

    I’ve worked in a few environments where security was taken very seriously and auditing was critical to proving we were properly managing our systems. These days I slowly see the importance of security and auditing growing to all industries, becoming more and more important. I hope to showcase the flexibility and possibilities (As well as drawbacks) of tracking activity on your database servers.

    If you’re looking for some training, some inspiration, and are a full-stack developer, or multi-technology IT worker, think about coming out to DevConnections. There are a slew of technologies being covered (VS, ASP.NET, C#7, Azure, PowerShell, AWS, SQL Server, Sharepoint, Exchange, Hyper-V and more).

    Register today, use 500SPKR to save $500, and I’ll see you in Las Vegas this October.

  • SQL Saturday–Viking Edition

    I’m off to the Viking Ship Museum for SQL Saturday #532. Actually, the Viking Museum will (hopefully) be a side trip on Friday before the actual event. The actual training will be at the Noroff campus in Oslo.

    This is my first trip to Norway, and while it will be quick, I’m looking forward to wandering another new country for a bit. I’m honored to be on the speaker list at this event, which is the third Oslo SQL Saturday (#414, #317).

    As with most of the SQL Saturdays, there’s quite a selection of sessions to choose from. I’ll be talking about your career, as well as Continuous Integration for databases. However there are Query Store talks, Power BI, HA, PoSh, Azure, R, and more.

    I know many of you don’t live in Oslo, but it’s close to much of Europe, and if you’re looking for a quick getaway to improve your career, come on over on Sept 3.  If you want more training, there are 4 pre-cons to choose from, all taught by some highly skilled SQL Server pros that are worth the effort to see.

    Once again, I’m excited for another SQL Saturday, and hope to see some of you there.

  • Remember the Alamo (with a SQL Saturday nearby)

    This past weekend was the first SQL Saturday in San Antonio, TX. I was lucky enough to get the chance to go, and I was happy to do so. I like to support new events in new cities, and hopefully I can help keep them going in the future.

    I went a day early. Traveling Friday during the day would have eaten up most of my day, so I got a late flight down Thursday night and spent Friday learning about SSIS from Tim Mitchell, as well as getting a little work done here and there.

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    The facility for the SQL Saturday was Texas A&M University – San Antonio. It’s a small, but beautiful school. The entrance to the campus is above. Below, the doors greeted me as I walked up, opening automatically.

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    Friday night the speakers had a nice dinner, with live entertainment.

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    And we each received a cowboy hat to wear. Some fit better than others.

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    As much as I’d like SQL Saturdays to be cost-conscious and slimmer, I am not complaining if organizers decide to do more. I just don’t want anyone that puts on a SQL Saturday to think that myself or other speakers won’t come. We will.

    In fact, we had a nice discussion about this at our dinner. We don’t volunteer and teach for food or gifts. We do it because we enjoy it.

    Anyway, the event was fun. There were over 300 registrations and I think there were 200+ people out for a day of learning. I delivered my Branding Yourself for a Dream Job talk to a full room. I heard a couple people say they didn’t come in because there weren’t chairs.

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    Please, always come in. Unless the Fire Marshall stops you, I have no issue with you standing in the room, sitting on the floor, or finding a space anywhere.

    I had some nice chats with people, which is one of the reasons I like these events. I attended a fun talk from Chris Hyde on R, which was a good way to open the day. I also saw Tim Costello do a fantastic Agile Data Warehouse talk, including the live affixing of post-it notes to the projector screen to demonstrate how to analyze your requirements. Go see Tim if you can. He does a good job and has a lot to teach.

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    I did leave a touch early, since I hadn’t had a chance to go by the Alamo and know almost nothing of Texas History. I wandered over, too late for a tour, but I had the chance to see the compound and the beautiful gardens, as well as learn a bit about the siege, battle, and how Texas was formed.

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    It was interesting, and if you get an hour when you’re in San Antonio, go by.

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    I hear the tour is really good, and hopefully I’ll get back someday and get the chance to experience it.

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    The after party was fun, though I saw relatively few attendees there. I think fewer people come when there isn’t a place near the venue, but I enjoyed myself before getting to the hotel and ready for an early flight.

    A good couple days in San Antonio, but back to work today. Sporting my hat.

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