Create backup service master key.sql

Author: williamadba

backup service master key.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+--TODO: Change Master key name to include instance name. 
+--TODO: Change password to complex, unique password for this key.
+--You may also want to check for database master keys that need to be backed up: toolbox\backup database master keys.sql
+
+BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY --not actually important for TDE, but important overall and should be backed up regardless.
+TO FILE = 'E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.SQL2K17\MSSQL\data\InstanceNameHere_SQLServiceMasterKey_20120314.snk' 
+    ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'complexpasswordhere'
+
+--THEN, TODO:
+--Move the file to enterprise security vault, along with its password, associated with the SQL instance. 
+
+
+/*
+--To restore, in the event of a restoring a master database to a new install, for example:
+
+RESTORE SERVICE MASTER KEY FROM FILE = 'path_to_file'   
+    DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password' FORCE
+
+*/