The Certificate used for encryption must be backed up and stored in a secure location that is not on the SQL Server.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-213913	SQL6-D0-001800	SV-213913r952219_rule		Medium

Description
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.

STIG	Date
MS SQL Server 2016 Database Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-02-21

Details

Check Text ( C-15131r952219_chk )
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 that a backup of the Certificate used for encryption is stored in a secure location that is not on the SQL Server, this is a finding. If procedures do not indicate access restrictions to the Certificate backup, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-15131r952219_chk )

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 that a backup of the Certificate used for encryption is stored in a secure location that is not on the SQL Server, this is a finding.

If procedures do not indicate access restrictions to the Certificate backup, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-15129r951656_fix)
Document and implement procedures to safely back up and store the Certificate used for encryption in a secure location that is not on the SQL Server. Include in the procedures to establish evidence of backup and storage as well as careful, restricted access and restoration of the Certificate. BACKUP CERTIFICATE 'CertificateName' TO FILE = 'path_to_file' WITH PRIVATE KEY (FILE = 'path_to_pvk', ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password'); As this requires a password, ensure it is not exposed to unauthorized persons or stored as plain text.

Fix Text (F-15129r951656_fix)

Document and implement procedures to safely back up and store the Certificate used for encryption in a secure location that is not on the SQL Server. Include in the procedures to establish evidence of backup and storage as well as careful, restricted access and restoration of the Certificate.

BACKUP CERTIFICATE 'CertificateName' TO FILE = 'path_to_file'
WITH PRIVATE KEY (FILE = 'path_to_pvk', ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password');

As this requires a password, ensure it is not exposed to unauthorized persons or stored as plain text.