RESTORE SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

Imports a service master key from a backup file.

Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions

RESTORE SERVICE MASTER KEY FROM FILE = 'path_to_file' 
    DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password' [FORCE]

• FILE ='path_to_file'
  Specifies the complete path, including file name, to the stored service master key. path_to_file can be a local path or a UNC path to a network location.

• PASSWORD ='password'
  Specifies the password required to decrypt the service master key that is being imported from a file.

• FORCE
  Forces the replacement of the service master key, even at the risk of data loss.

When the service master key is restored, SQL Server decrypts all the keys and secrets that have been encrypted with the current service master key, and then encrypts them with the service master key loaded from the backup file.

If any one of the decryptions fails, the restore will fail. You can use the FORCE option to ignore errors, but this option will cause the loss of any data that cannot be decrypted.

Regenerating the encryption hierarchy is a resource-intensive operation. You should schedule this during a period of low demand.

Requires CONTROL SERVER permission on the server.

The following example restores the service master key from a backup file.

RESTORE SERVICE MASTER KEY 
    FROM FILE = 'c:\temp_backups\keys\service_master_key' 
    DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '3dH85Hhk003GHk2597gheij4';
GO

ALTER SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

Service Master Key
Encryption Hierarchy

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance