How to Restore Encrypted Database in SQL Server? A Complete Manual

We are all aware of how database encryption can help secure the data residing in the SQL Server database. But when it comes to resolving how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server. With encryption, the database becomes much more complex to access or move. Hence, we are here to resolve this issue for the users. We will understand the whole concept in depth to make it convenient for the users to learn and restore TDE database to another server.

So, without any further delay, let’s learn a little about the TDE encryption. 

What is TDE Database Encryption and Why Is It Used?

The TDE (Transparent Database Encryption) is an encryption method that protects and secures the data stored on the disk. With the help of the TDE, database administrators ensure that the data in the database remains completely protected even if an unauthorized user gains access to the physical database. Even after providing several benefits in securing the database, it becomes difficult for the users to work on the encrypted database and restore it to another server when required. This is why we will now be learning about how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server efficiently. 

Restore TDE Database to Another Server – Challenges

There are several challenges encountered by the users when their databases are TDE encrypted. Here we will understand these challenges and find the best solutions to resolve the restore encrypted database in SQL Server issue. 

• The first major challenge with restoring a TDE-encrypted database is that the database administrators find it challenging to back up an encrypted database and then restore it to the target server. With that, a user fails to restore a database that is encrypted without the proper decryption keys. 
• Another challenge for the users is that they are unable to compress the encrypted data. This issue might result in bigger challenges like larger backup files and storage issues.
• With the database encrypted, it also becomes difficult for the users to manage the different encryption keys used in the database encryption. Even losing one of the encryption keys can further lead to bigger challenges while restoring or decrypting the database. 

With all these challenges, it becomes complex for the users to restore an encrypted database in SQL Server. Now, moving on to the solutions, let’s see what methods can help the users resolve this concern and proceed with their tasks. 

How to Restore Encrypted Database in SQL Server Step-by-Step

If we talk about the method to restore a TDE-encrypted database, it might look a little complex to the users. However, we will try to explain the steps of the solution to make it easier for the users to understand. The method is divided into multiple phases. We will now learn these phases one by one. 

Phase 1: Pre-Restoration Requirements

To restore the encrypted database, it is necessary for the database administrators to do the following:

Create a Database 

The first step is to create a database with the same name as the source database in the target database to initiate the how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server process.

TDE Configuration

Enable TDE encryption in the destination database and further create encryption keys for the database. It is up to the user, whether they wish to create a new encryption key or use the same one as the source database. 

Login and Permissions

It is required for the destination database to have the necessary user logins and permissions who will be accessing the database on the target server.

Next, after we have created a suitable encrypted environment for the users, it’s time to proceed with the restoration process. For that, the users must take a backup before. We will now understand the steps to take a backup of the encrypted database. 

Phase 2: Take a Backup of the Encrypted Database

To take a backup of the database, users have to follow the given steps:

Back up the Database
The first step is to take a backup of the source database with all the data files and the log files. This will ensure a complete backup of the database with precision.

Encryption Keys Backup
Now it’s time to take a backup of the master encryption key and certificate that are used for encrypting the database. These keys will help while restoring the database after encryption to the destination database.

Now, we have encrypted the database, and taken a backup of the encrypted database as well. With that, we will now proceed with the next step of understanding how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server.

Phase 3: Restore TDE Database to Another Server

After creating a destination database, encrypting the database, and taking a backup of the encrypted database, it is now time to restore the database to a new server. The process for the same is as follows: 

Restore Encrypted Database Backup
There are several methods, including SSMS and the T-SQL commands that will help the users to restore the backup to the destination server.

Restoring Encryption Keys
Using specified commands and tools, users can restore the master encryption key and certificate to the destination database.

TDE Configuration
Next, it is important to enable the TDE encryption for the restored database and ensure that the encryption keys are the ones associated with the TDE-encrypted database.

Database Testing
The last step is to test the database after restoration to a new server. The users must check whether the database is accessible with the encryption key. 

Now, after completing these steps it is required for the users to consider the possible challenges that can be encountered after or during the restoration process. We will now take a look at the possible issues encountered in the whole restoration process. 

Phase 4: Issues With How to Restore Encrypted Database in SQL Server

There are a few issues and challenges to keep in mind that can occur during the restoration process. We will first discuss the issues and then we will try to suggest suitable solutions that will help the users resolve these issues. 

Corruption in Database: During the restoration, there are possibilities of database corruption. In case that happens, you are required to choose a relevant solution to recover the data.

Unintentional Deletion: This can also happen while restoring the encrypted database. In case you have accidentally deleted any of the data, it will create challenges for the users with the Restore TDE Database to Another Server process. Users are required to recover the deleted data using a specified tool.

Encryption Using Third-Party Solution: If you have encrypted the database using a third-party solution, you must consider the provided documentation with the encryption solution. 

These challenges can affect the process and delay the operations for a prolonged time. That is why it is necessary to resolve the issues using the right tools. 

If we talk about the right solutions, we have just the tools to ensure complete security during the database restoration. Let’s see what the tools are and how they will help with the restoration of the encrypted database. 

How to Restore Encrypted Database in SQL Server With Data Safety

To restore the encrypted database on SQL Server securely, we can use professional solutions. To ensure secure decryption of the encrypted SQL Server, we can efficiently use the database decryption tool to firstly decrypt the SQL Database and then, with the help of a database migration solution, we can efficiently migrate the database to another server. 

Let’s take a look at the steps on how these tools will help users restore TDE database to another server. First, we will understand the working of the SQL Decryption Tool to decrypt the encrypted database.

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1. Install and run the software. Click on the Start Button. 
2. Next, add the Source Server and then select the desired database from the provided list.
3. Click on the Next Button. Preview the encrypted objects loaded on the screen. 
4. Click on the Export button and choose the destination. Add the authentication details to efficiently proceed to decrypt the encrypted database. 

Once the SQL Server database is decrypted, it’s time to migrate the database using the database migration tool to resolve the how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server issue. 

Migrate the Decrypted SQL Database to Another Server 

Now, with the help of the SQL Migration tool, we will further migrate the decrypted database to another server.

The steps for using the migration tool are as follows:

1. Install and launch the tool, then click on the Open button to add the SQL Server Database.
2. From the Offline and Online SQL Server Database options, select the Online mode to continue.
3. Select the Server and the authentication mode to proceed.
4. After scanning the database files, preview the loaded database objects to resolve how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server.
5. Next, click on the Export button to migrate the SQL database. 
6. Enter the required credentials and choose the destination to export the database.
7. Click on the Export button to migrate the database in SQL Server. 

By using these two solutions, users can efficiently carry out the task to restore TDE database to another server more securely and professionally. These professional tools ensure that the database administrators can effectively decrypt the encrypted SQL Server database and then migrate it to a new server. 

Conclusion

With the help of this thorough write-up, we have discussed the concern of how to restore encrypted database in SQL Server. We also learned the challenges with an encrypted database and how these databases can be restored to another server without risking data security. Lastly we have suggested a few solutions that will help the users to resolve the issue and further restore encrypted database in SQL.