The Database Owner Role in SQL Server: A Call for Least Privilege

June 9, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. Introduction

When SQL Server Database Owners Are NULL or Mismatched

June 8, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. Let’s

The Dangers of Modifying the SQL Server Public Role

June 6, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. Introduction

Role-based Access Control In SQL Server, and You

June 5, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. Role-Based

How to Troubleshoot SQL Server With PowerShell.

April 25, 2024

PowerShell is an essential tool for SQL Server database administrators looking to streamline their workflow and automate repetitive tasks. When it comes to troubleshooting your SQL Server instances, PowerShell is an essential tool for the DBA toolbox. As a versatile scripting language and command-line shell, PowerShell enables seamless integration of commands, arguments, variables, and modules

How to Optimize SQL Server Performance by Separating Workloads

January 25, 2024

I wrote this to share a series of scripts that help identify if workloads are appropriately separated on the SQL Server host. The main reason we look for this is to avoid I/O contention and waits, which is a challenge that can significantly impact performance. If you are unsure if your server is experiencing I/O

Audit Your Database Backup Chain!

October 30, 2023

All database administrators know that safeguarding data is paramount and having a strong restore strategy is crucial. In this post, I would like to add another tool to your arsenal that I have found helpful in auditing server health and configurations as it pertains to backups and the backup chain. A backup chain is important

Is Your SQL Server Ready for a Compliance Audit?

September 4, 2023

Compliance audits ensure that organizations adhere to regulatory guidelines, industry standards, and internal policies. As SQL Server DBAs, you can be prepared for most audits if you already check all of the boxes outlined in this blog post. Each of these points could be its own blog posts, so take your time as you go

Essential SQL Server Database Maintenance Tasks Every DBA Should Know

August 23, 2023

Database maintenance is a critical aspect of the DBA role, ensuring the smooth operation of SQL Server environments. Some folks will implement a SQL Server maintenance plan without fully digesting what they are doing, but we prefer you to do this with eyes wide open. In this post, we will explore key tasks and areas

How UNsafe Is Your SQL Server? – Vulnerability Assessment and Access Audit

July 10, 2023

SQL Server is a repository of critical data, attracting potential threats from malicious individuals seeking financial gains. As a SQL Server DBA, it is essential to assess the security vulnerabilities of your SQL Server and perform an access audit to ensure the safety of your data SQL Server Vulnerability Scan I recommend you start with