Microsoft released a whitepaper and PowerPoint presentation on SQL Server 2005 encryption. From the executive summary... This document shares Microsoft IT experiences with these security strategies and with SQL Server 2005 encryption capabilities. Because many SQL Server 2005 pilot projects are currently in progress, Microsoft IT has learned valuable lessons and best practices that relate to data consolidation and encryption in the Microsoft IT LOB application space. Because Microsoft IT requirements are among the most challenging in the world, the strategies that Microsoft IT develops and the lessons that Microsoft IT learns through the deployment of SQL Server 2005 should provide meaningful guidance to corporations that want to deploy a SQL Server 2005–based encryption and key management framework.

This document is intended for enterprise business decision makers, technical decision makers, IT architects, database developers, and deployment managers. Although this document provides recommendations based on Microsoft IT early-adopter experiences, it is not intended to serve as a procedural guide. Each enterprise environment has unique circumstances. Therefore, each organization should adapt this information to meet its specific requirements.