ALTER SYMMETRIC KEY

Change the properties of a symmetric key.

Syntax:
      ALTER SYMMETRIC KEY Sym_key key_options

 key_options ::=
      ADD ENCRYPTION BY crypt [, ... n]
      DROP ENCRYPTION BY crypt [, ... n]

 crypt:
      CERTIFICATE certificate
      PASSWORD = 'password' 
      SYMMETRIC KEY symmetric_key_name 
      ASYMMETRIC KEY asym_key_name

To change the encryption method used to protect a symmetric key:

Open and decrypt the key
Add the new encryption method
Remove the old encryption method.

The key can never be stored unencrypted.

Examples

ALTER SYMMETRIC KEY ss64
    ADD ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = '6452$23tgcek6Bh9ows9s7';

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful" ~ Herman Cain

Related Commands:

CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY
OPEN SYMMETRIC KEY
CLOSE SYMMETRIC KEY
DROP SYMMETRIC KEY
sys.symmetric_keys