.net Encrypting Database Tables

Question

I am delivering a module for a website that will collect information from a user and make appropriate calculations. The client wants any data collected from the user to be encrypted. We are using SQL express 2005 as the database.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

SQL Server already supports strong encryption for columns, why not just use that?

Answer 2

Use Transparent Database Encryption because, as the name implies, is transparent for the application and requires absolutely 0 changes. You simply turn on encryption with a one-key-turn: ALTER DATABASE ... SET ENCRYPTION ON;. Key management is the simplest possible key management you can get, and the database is protected against accidental loss of media. The encryption carries over to all backups taken, so accidental loss of a backup file will also protect the content.