How to encrypt data in SQL Azure?

Question

My research shows that we cannot use Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) in SQL Azure.

For that matter, whether they are any options for encrypting data in SQL Azure.

I do not want to have these application level encryption / decryption operations.

Thanks,

Answer 1

There is a detailed explanation of which types of encryption are not supported by SQL Azure on TechNet:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/hh351833.aspx

SQL Azure does not currently support the standard data encryption mechanisms supported by SQL Server. These include transparent data encryption, asymmetric keys, symmetric keys, and Transact-SQL functions such as ENCRYPTBYPASSPHRASE and DECRYPTBYPASSPHRASE, CREATE / ALTER / DROP DATABASE ENCRYPTION KEY or CREATE / ALTER / DROP MASTER KEY

TL DR: The application tier is probably your only choice right now

Answer 2

TDE is now supported on Azure: https://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/Data-Exposed/TDE-in-Azure-SQL-Database

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn948096.aspx