backup-service-master-key-transact-sql.md

title	BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
description	BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
author	VanMSFT
ms.author	vanto
ms.date	03/03/2017
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	t-sql
ms.topic	reference
f1_keywords	BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY DUMP_SERVICE_MASTER_KEY_TSQL DUMP SERVICE MASTER KEY BACKUP_SERVICE_MASTER_KEY_TSQL
helpviewer_keywords	backing up service master keys [SQL Server] BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY statement cryptography [SQL Server], Service Master Key exporting Service Master Keys encryption [SQL Server], Service Master Key service master key [SQL Server], exporting
dev_langs	TSQL

BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

[!INCLUDE SQL Server]

Exports the service master key.

:::image type="icon" source="../../includes/media/topic-link-icon.svg" border="false"::: Transact-SQL syntax conventions

Syntax

BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY TO FILE = 'path_to_file'   
    ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password'  

Arguments

FILE ='path_to_file'
Specifies the complete path, including file name, to the file to which the service master key will be exported. This may be a local path or a UNC path to a network location.

PASSWORD ='password'
Is the password used to encrypt the service master key in the backup file. This password is subject to complexity checks. For more information, see Password Policy.

Remarks

The service master key should be backed up and stored in a secure, off-site location. Creating this backup should be one of the first administrative actions performed on the server.

Permissions

Requires CONTROL SERVER permission on the server.

Examples

In the following example, the service master key is backed up to a file.

BACKUP SERVICE MASTER KEY TO FILE = 'c:\temp_backups\keys\service_master_key' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '3dH85Hhk003GHk2597gheij4';  

See Also

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