The Certificate used for encryption must be backed up, stored offline and off-site.

From MS SQL Server 2016 Database Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001199

SV-93795r1_rule The Certificate used for encryption must be backed up, stored offline and off-site.

Vulnerability discussion

Backup and recovery of the Certificate used for encryption is critical to the complete recovery of the database. Not having this key can lead to loss of data during recovery.

Check content

If the application owner and Authorizing Official have determined that encryption of data at rest is not required, this is not a finding. Review procedures for, and evidence of backup of the Certificate used for encryption in the System Security Plan. If the procedures or evidence does not exist, this is a finding. If the procedures do not indicate offline and off-site storage of the Certificate used for encryption, this is a finding. If procedures do not indicate access restrictions to the Certificate backup, this is a finding.

Fix text

Document and implement procedures to safely back up and store the Certificate used for encryption. Include in the procedures methods to establish evidence of backup and storage, and careful, restricted access and restoration of the Certificate. Also, include provisions to store the backup off-site. BACKUP CERTIFICATE 'CertificateName' TO FILE = 'path_to_file' WITH PRIVATE KEY (FILE = 'path_to_pvk', ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password'); As this requires a password, take care to ensure it is not exposed to unauthorized persons or stored as plain text.

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.