DROP DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY (Transact-SQL)
Drops a database encryption key that is used in transparent database encryption. For more information about transparent database encryption, see Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
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Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions
Syntax
DROP DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY
Remarks
If the database is encrypted, you must first remove encryption from the database by using the ALTER DATABASE statement. Wait for decryption to complete before removing the database encryption key. For more information about the ALTER DATABASE statement, see ALTER DATABASE SET Options (Transact-SQL). To view the state of the database, use the sys.dm_database_encryption_keys dynamic management view.
Permissions
Requires CONTROL permission on the database.
Examples
The following example removes the database encryption and drops the database encryption key.
ALTER DATABASE AdventureWorks2012;
SET ENCRYPTION OFF;
GO
/* Wait for decryption operation to complete, look for a
value of 1 in the query below. */
SELECT encryption_state
FROM sys.dm_database_encryption_keys;
GO
USE AdventureWorks2012;
GO
DROP DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY;
GO
See Also
Reference
ALTER DATABASE SET Options (Transact-SQL)
CREATE DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY (Transact-SQL)
ALTER DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY (Transact-SQL)
sys.dm_database_encryption_keys (Transact-SQL)
Concepts
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)