Decrypt Stored Procedure in SQL Server using Simple Technique

Are you also looking for ways to decrypt SQL Server Stored Procedure? If yes, then read this blog to get a clear idea about the method of SQL Server object decryption.

SQL database contains a lot of objects like stored procedure, views, triggers, function, etc. To secure SQL database objects, users often take the help of procedure called encryption. Once a database is encrypted, no one can access its data without decrypting it. As encryption and decryption both are equally important for SQL DBAs, we have chosen to discuss the process of decrypting SQL Server Stored Procedure. Continue reading to learn the full procedure for how to decrypt stored procedure in SQL Server in detail.

User Query 1:“I am here with a severe problem. In order to secure the stored procedure, I have encrypted it using WITH ENCRYPTION option. Now my current need is to decrypt stored procedure SQL Server 2008. I was suggested to follow some manual technique in a forum. That method actually deleted the stored procedure rather than decrypting it. If you have any reliable solution for SQL Server decrypt stored procedure task in 2008 version, please let me know. I do not want to lose another stored procedure by implementing a wrong technique. Thanks.”

User Query 2: “Hello there. I am a user of SQL Server 2000. Recently I created a stored procedure and encrypted it. After running the stored procedure, I received the correct results. But when I tried to make some changed to the stored procedure, I keep getting the message that the SP is encrypted. I cannot access the details of SP, even with the Enterprise Manager. Since there is a way to encrypt the stored procedure, there should be a way to decrypt it too. Tell me if there is a native technique to stored procedure decrypt in SQL Server? If there is not, then can I try some alternative method?”

SQL Server Decrypt Stored Procedure – Overview

Before users can begin working on the operation right away, it’s crucial to understand the overview. Then only the decrypt procedure can be done without a single error. Go through the below points to get the desired results.

• Analyse Encryption Algo: Always begin with understanding the encryption algorithm. Before finding using the key, we focus on the lock, that is why, we need to know the encryption algorithm details.
• Reverse Engineering: If users are proficient in SQL Server internals, cryptography, and reverse engineering techniques, it’s possible to decrypt SQL Server stored procedure with reverse engineering of the encrypting algorithms.
• Legal Compliances: There should be no barriers hindering while decrypting the stored procedures. Users must ensure that all legal compliances & ethical factors are taken care of strictly.
• Automated Solutions: There are no manual solutions available as such. Therefore, relying on the advanced software available in the market is a wise decision.
• Experts consultation: In case, users get confused, they can always consult with the experts to get the required support ASAP.

Also Read: Fix Microsoft SQL Server Error 3014 Code 

Reasons to Decrypt Stored Procedure SQL Server

• To Recover Lost Source Code
  One of the situations that requires the SQL Server decryption stored procedure is to recover the source code from the stored procedures. It is a possibility that the users might not be able to access the code within the stored procedure, which is why it becomes important to remove encryption from stored procedures in SQL Server. 
• For Better Performance Tuning
  To enhance the database performance, the database administrators need to know the query logic in the stored procedure. This demands that the users know and learn how to decrypt stored procedure in SQL Server. 
• For Migrating to a New Environment
  During the migration of the database to any new environment, it is required to have SQL Server decrypted stored procedure for efficient migration. Encrypted stored procedures might create issues for the users after the migration to a new database. 
• To Document the Procedures for Future Use
  Documentation of the database is crucial for the users to ensure that other users and team members are well aware of the process. For the same documentation process, it is required for the database administrators to SQL Server decryption stored procedure.

Stored Procedure Decrypt in SQL Server Smartly

After going through several user queries regarding decrypt stored procedure SQL Server, we understand that the manual methods for decrypting SQL objects are neither easy nor effective. Most users complained that the common native methods of database decryption failed to do its task. Hence, we are going to suggest a solution that actually works.

SQL Decryptor Tool, developed by SysTools, is a top-class software program that is capable to provide results in that has been encrypted. Using this program, anyone can resolve their encrypted SQL Server objects like Stored Procedure. Just follow these steps to learn how to decrypt stored procedure in SQL Server:

SQL Server Stored Procedures Decryption Step by Step

1. Download and launch the software and click on Start to open Connect to SQL Server page.

2. Choose the Source Server name from the auto-fetched list. If it is not available, add the name manually.

3. Choose the Login mode: Windows Authentication and SQL Server Authentication (the second option will require Server credentials.) Also choose the encrypted database.

4. All the encrypted Stored Procedure will be visible to the users.

5. Expand the Stored Procedure and check the ones you need to decrypt. Export the decrypted data directly to Live SQL instance by selecting SQL Server. Otherwise, choose SQL Server Compatible Scripts.

6. Choose Without Encryption as you want to remove encryption from the Stored Procedure object. Add Destination Server name, database name and login mode.

7. Click on Export to finish SQL Server decrypt stored procedure and save the selected Stored Procedures in the chosen format.

Why Choose the Automated Solution?

Wondering why you should go for this utility and not for other applications? Here are the answers:

• Support for SQL Server 2019: This application can decrypt the object of SQL Server versions 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2005 and 2000.
• Facility for Selective Stored Procedure SQL Server Decryption: With the help of this tool, users can easily remove encryption from only the Stored Procedures they require.
• Option to Login via Windows Authentication: If SQL Server credentials are not accessible, users can choose to login with Windows Authentication.

Apart from these, there’re plenty of other features available for users to learn how to decrypt stored procedure in SQL Server without any hassles.

Also Read: How to Patch SQL Server with Ease?

Prevention Measures For Safe Decryption of SQL Server

There are a few precautionary steps the users must follow to ensure the SQL Server decryption stored procedure doesn’t go wrong and further affect the data. Here are some of these measures to secure the data and prevent any risk of data loss. 

• The first thing you should ensure is that you have proper authorization for stored procedure decryption SQL Server. 
• Next, it is important to take a backup of the database. In case anything goes wrong, this backup will help you to restore the database securely. 
• It is also crucial to use a trusted and reliable decryption tool to ensure the decryption is done securely and efficiently.
• Documenting the whole how to decrypt stored procedure in SQL Server will help the users track the activity and know who made the changes and which procedures were decrypted. 
• It is important to carry out the complete decryption process in a non-productive environment to ensure safe decryption. 

After the decryption, it is mandatory to test the database to check if the process has been completed successfully or not.

Final Words

Once the requirement of encryption is over, SQL users want to decrypt Stored Procedure from SQL Server. For them, we shared a useful method along with its complete instructional guide. Users can choose the automated solution for SQL Server stored procedure decryption and other encrypted SQL database objects.