SQL Server store procedure encrypt is safe

sql-server-2008stored-procedureswindows-server-2008

I am using SQL Server 2008 Enterprise on Windows Server 2003 Enterprise. I developed some store procedure for SQL Server and the machine installed with SQL Server may not be fully under my control (may be used by un-trusted 3rd party).

I want to protect my store procedure T-SQL source code (i.e. not viewable by some other party) by using encrypt store procedure function provided by SQL Server. I am not sure whether encrypt store procedure is 100% safe and whether the administrator of the machine (installed with SQL Server) still have ways to view store procedure's source codes?

thanks in advance,
George

Best Answer

Be assured that even if you use encryption for Stored Procedures in SQL Server 2008, it could be very easily decrypted using third party tools.There are lots of them and one of them is http://www.elitude.net/.

If you are using proprietary software then adding another layer using encryption is NOT going to be enough if there is a determined user. All you can do is ask them to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and stand by these rules.