Chapter 15 DBMS-Specific Features


Symmetric keys

A symmetric key is one key that is used for both encryption and decryption. Encryption and decryption by using a symmetric key is fast, and suitable for routine use with sensitive data in the database. PowerDesigner models symmetric keys as extended objects with a stereotype of <<SymmetricKey>>.

Creating a symmetric key

You can create a symmetric key in any of the following ways:

Symmetric key properties

You can modify an object's properties from its property sheet. To open a symmetric key property sheet, double-click its diagram symbol or its Browser entry in the Symmetric Key Objects folder.

The following extended attributes are available on the Microsoft tab:

Name Scripting Name Description
Authorization Authorization Specifies the name of a user or role as the owner of the key.
Certificate Certificate Specifies the name of the certificate that will be used to encrypt the symmetric key.
Password Password Specifies a password from which to derive a TRIPLE_DES key with which to secure the symmetric key. Password complexity will be checked. You should always use strong passwords.
Symmetric key SymmetricKey Specifies a symmetric key to be used to encrypt the key that is being created.
Asymmetric key AsymmetricKey Specifies an asymmetric key to be used to encrypt the key that is being created.
Key source KeySource Specifies a pass phrase from which to derive the key.
Algorithm Algorithm Specifies the algorithm used to encrypt the key
Identity value IdentityValue Specifies an identity phrase from which to generate a GUID for tagging data that is encrypted with a temporary key.

 


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