Enable SQL Server SSL Encryption

On your SQL server, you can enable SSL encryption.

Before you begin

About this task

Note: According to Microsoft®, enabling encryption causes a 2-4% performance penalty.

Procedure

  1. From the Start menu, go to All Programs > <Your SQL Server > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.
  2. Expand SQL Server Network Configuration, right-click Protocols for <Server Instance>, and then select Properties.
    The Protocols for <Instance Name> Properties dialog box appears.
  3. Click the Certificate tab, and from the Certificate box drop-down menu, select the certificate that you want to work with, and then click OK.
  4. Click the Flags tab, and in the Force Encryption field, select Yes from the drop-down menu, and then click OK.
  5. To restart the SQL Server service, from the Start menu, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.