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DROP SYMMETRIC KEY (Transact-SQL)

Removes a symmetric key from the current database.

Topic link iconTransact-SQL Syntax Conventions

Syntax

DROP SYMMETRIC KEY symmetric_key_name [REMOVE PROVIDER KEY]

Arguments

  • symmetric_key_name
    Is the name of the symmetric key to be dropped.

  • REMOVE PROVIDER KEY
    Removes an Extensible Key Management (EKM) key from an EKM device. For more information about Extensible Key Management, see Understanding Extensible Key Management (EKM).

Remarks

If the key is open in the current session the statement will fail.

If the asymmetric key is mapped to an Extensible Key Management (EKM) key on an EKM device and the REMOVE PROVIDER KEY option is not specified, the key will be dropped from the database but not the device, and a warning will be issued.

Permissions

Requires CONTROL permission on the symmetric key.

Examples

The following example removes a symmetric key named GailSammamishKey6 from the current database.

CLOSE SYMMETRIC KEY GailSammamishKey6;
DROP SYMMETRIC KEY GailSammamishKey6;
GO