sql server encryption

encrypt a column

[macrost]

I am now at the point where I really need to store credit card numbers. I know, I know, but I am only going to store them past a certain date.

I have been looking around some sites that have topics about it but most are what seems seperate software for it. Does SQL server have it's own inherent encryption algo?

I need to be able to keep even the sys admin from seeing the data.

Thanks!

[Easy_Coder]

I don't believe it does, sql server does have binary fields but you really want that type of data encrypted. You'll need to create or buy an object that will handle the encryption.

[macrost]

Easy_Coder,
Bleh, that's what I thought. Well I guess it's back to looking around!

[Easy_Coder]

There's several third party encryption objects on the market. Snag a trial version and test er out. You'll want to encrypt the string before shoving it into the database. That way your admin won't be able to see it at the table level... unless of course he know's about the object and its method to un-encrypt :)

[raptorix]

.NET has also some excellent encryption libraries.