SQL Server 2008 introduced a great new feature called TDE, Transparent Data Encryption. It allowed a database to be completely encrypted without having to change the applications that access it.

Database encryption protects sensitive information by scrambling the data when it's stored, or as it has become popular to say, "is at rest." ...

The tool's Always Encrypted functionality was also improved, as described in another post published by Microsoft yesterday titled " Always Encrypted Assessment in SQL Server Management Studio 21." ...

At Microsoft Build, SQL Server 2025 enters public preview with major enhancements in AI integration, performance, reliability and developer tools -- reaffirming Microsoft’s continued investment ...