Title

The Service Master Key should be backed up, stored offline and off site. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Backup and recovery of the Service Master Key may be critical to the complete recovery of the database.

Check Content

Review procedures for and evidence of backup of the SQL Server Service Master Key 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 Service Master Key, this is a Finding. If procedures do not indicate access restrictions to the Service Master Key backup, this is a Finding.

Fix Text

Document and implement procedures to safely backup and store the service master key. Include in the procedures methods to establish evidence of backup and storage and careful, restricted access and restoration of the service master key. Also, include provisions to store the key offsite. BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY TO FILE = 'path_to_file' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password'

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-25498r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-15177

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.