Hacking and Securing SQL Server

During this 5-day course of super intensive training you will analyze, learn, and practice critical tasks for implementing highly secure SQL Server infrastructure.

You´ll be able to:

  • Get the highest quality and unique learning experience – the class is limited to 16 participants by default.
  • Get the opportunity to interact with our world-renowned Experts.
  • Go through CQURE’s custom lab exercises and practice them after the course.
  • Receive a lifelong certification after completing the course!

Why this course?

This course is a must-go for database administrators, IT professionals and security officers dealing with database servers.

Delivered by highly skilled SQL and database enthusiast with practical knowledge, multiple successful projects, many years of real-world experience and great teaching skills. The course has a form of intense workshop where we make a deep dive inside the SQL Server.

This is an international Live Virtual Class so you will be able to share the learning experience with a group of IT pros from around the world without leaving your home or office!

 

 Target Audience

This is an advanced course on Hacking and Securing SQL Server for Cybersecurity Specialists.

It´s suitable for:

Database administrators, infrastructure architects, security professionals, system engineers, advanced database developer, IT professionals, security consultants and other people responsible for implementing databases security.

 

Module 1: Overview of SQL Server Security (SQL Server 2022 & 2025)

  1. New security features in SQL Server 2022 and 2025, including enhanced encryption and cloud integration.
  2. SQL Server architecture and how it impacts security.
  3. Integration with Azure SQL Database, Azure Defender, and Azure Active Directory for improved security in hybrid environments.

Module 2: Common Threats & Best Practices for Data Protection

  1. Identifying common SQL Server vulnerabilities (SQL injection, unauthorized access, misconfigurations).
  2. Best practices for protecting SQL Server, including encryption, secure authentication, and role-based access control.

Module 3: Setting Up SQL Server Environment

  1. Installation of SQL Server 2022, ensuring secure configuration.
  2. Configuring firewalls and ports for secure SQL Server access.
  3. Testing connectivity using different protocols (TCP/IP, Named Pipes) and validating network security.

Module 4: Securing the Operating System & Network

  1. Hardening Windows Server to protect SQL Server from external threats.

  2. Configuring secure file-sharing, system permissions, and Windows Defender.

  3. Setting up firewall rules and encrypted communications to prevent unauthorized access.

Module 5: User Account and Role Management

  1. Creating and managing SQL Server logins, using Windows Authentication vs. SQL Authentication.
  2. Integrating Azure Active Directory Authentication for centralized identity management.
  3. Role-based security and assigning permissions based on job functions to implement the Principle of Least Privilege.

Module 6: Managing Permissions and Data Access

  1. Implementing row-level security to restrict data access based on user context.
  2. Using Dynamic Data Masking to obfuscate sensitive information from unauthorized users.
  3. Configuring Custom Permissions and testing access controls with different user roles.

Module 7: Data Encryption in SQL Server

  1. Always Encrypted for encrypting sensitive data both at rest and in transit.
  2. Transparent Database Encryption (TDE) for protecting entire databases and backups.
  3. Column-Level Encryption and implementing Dynamic Data Masking to secure sensitive columns.
  4. Best practices for End-to-End Encryption to secure data throughout its lifecycle.

Module 8: Backup Security

  1. Best practices for securing backup files, including encryption and managing backup certificates.
  2. Creating encrypted backups and testing backup and restore procedures to ensure data security.

Module 9: Auditing SQL Server Access and Data Usage

  1. Configuring SQL Server Auditing to log access attempts, data changes, and administrative actions.
  2. Using Extended Events to monitor SQL Server activities and detect unusual or suspicious behavior.
  3. Implementing auditing for compliance with regulations like GDPR, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA.

Module 10: Security Monitoring Tools

  1. Integrating Azure Defender for SQL Server to monitor vulnerabilities and threats in SQL Server environments.
  2. Using Azure Sentinel for advanced threat detection and security information management (SIEM).
  3. Setting up monitoring alerts and integrating SQL Server logs with SIEM systems for real-time threat analysis.

Module 11: Securing SQL Server Services

  1. Securing SQL Server Agent, Analysis Services (SSAS), and Reporting Services (SSRS) by controlling access to these services and jobs.
  2. Implementing policies to ensure that only authorized users have access to critical SQL Server services and data.
  3. Securing Azure SQL Database by configuring firewall settings, virtual networks, and managing secure access through Private Endpoints.

Module 12: Protecting SQL Server Instances from External Attacks

  1. Techniques to prevent SQL injection and other common attacks by using parameterized queries and stored procedures.
  2. Securing SQL Server against Denial of Service (DoS) attacks by configuring server resources and network isolation.
  3. Ensuring secure communication by using SSL/TLS for data in transit and encryption for communication channels between clients and SQL Server instances.

Module 13: Simulating Attacks and Testing Responses

  1. Simulating real-world attacks, such as SQL injection, unauthorized access attempts, and Denial of Service attacks.
  2. Testing SQL Server defenses against these simulated attacks to evaluate security configurations and response mechanisms.
  3. Reviewing SQL Server’s ability to log attacks and respond appropriately to minimize damage.

Module 14: Managing Certificates

  1. Configuring SSL/TLS certificates for encrypted connections between SQL Server and clients.
  2. Managing certificates for backup encryption and securing data exchanges.
  3. Ensuring the integrity of certificates used for authentication and encryption across the SQL Server infrastructure.

Certification

After finishing the course, you will be granted a CQURE Certificate of Completion. Please note that after completing the course you will also be eligible for CPE points!

 


FAQ – Introduction to Penetration Testing

Varighet: 5 dager (35 timer)
Format: Klasserom eller live online med virtuelle laber
Sertifisering: Livslang CQURE Certificate of Completion

Hva koster kurset?
Prisen er 39 900 NOK for 5 dager. Kurset inkluderer intensiv live virtuell undervisning, praktiske lab-øvelser, kursmateriell og livslang sertifisering etter fullført kurs.

Hvor lenge varer kurset?
Kurset går over 5 intensive dager og gjennomføres som en internasjonal Live Virtual Class.

Hvem passer kurset for?
Dette er et avansert kurs innen SQL Server-sikkerhet og passer for:

  • Databaseadministratorer (DBA)
  • Infrastrukturarkitekter
  • Sikkerhetsspesialister
  • Systemingeniører
  • Avanserte databaseutviklere
  • IT-profesjonelle og sikkerhetskonsulenter
  • Andre som har ansvar for databasesikkerhet

Hvilket nivå er kurset på?
Kurset er på avansert nivå og er rettet mot fagpersoner med solid erfaring innen SQL Server, Windows-infrastruktur og IT-sikkerhet.

Hva lærer jeg i løpet av kurset?
Du lærer å identifisere, utnytte og sikre mot reelle trusler mot SQL Server-infrastruktur. Etter kurset vil du kunne:

  • Forstå moderne SQL Server-sikkerhet (2022 og 2025)
  • Implementere kryptering, rollebasert tilgang og minste privilegium-prinsippet
  • Beskytte databaser mot SQL injection, DoS og uautorisert tilgang
  • Konfigurere auditing og overvåking
  • Integrere sikkerhet med Azure Defender og Sentinel
  • Teste og validere sikkerhetsoppsett gjennom angrepssimuleringer

Er kurset praktisk rettet?
Ja. Kurset er workshop-basert med dyp teknisk gjennomgang og omfattende lab-øvelser. Du jobber praktisk med konfigurasjon, angrepssimulering og sikring av SQL Server-miljøer.

Hvilke temaer dekkes i kurset?
Kurset dekker blant annet:

  • SQL Server-arkitektur og nye sikkerhetsfunksjoner
  • Beskyttelse mot vanlige sårbarheter og angrep
  • Sikker installasjon og konfigurasjon
  • Operativsystem- og nettverkshardening
  • Bruker- og rolleadministrasjon
  • Row-level security og Dynamic Data Masking
  • Always Encrypted og Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
  • Sikring av backup og sertifikathåndtering
  • Auditing, Extended Events og compliance
  • Integrasjon med Azure Defender og Sentinel
  • Beskyttelse mot eksterne angrep
  • Simulering av reelle angrep og testing av forsvar

Får jeg sertifisering?
Ja. Etter fullført kurs mottar du en livslang sertifisering som dokumenterer din kompetanse innen SQL Server-sikkerhet.

Hvordan gjennomføres kurset?
Kurset leveres som en internasjonal Live Virtual Class. Du deltar digitalt og får tilgang til lab-miljøer, direkte dialog med instruktør og samarbeid med deltakere fra hele verden.

Hva gjør dette kurset unikt?
Kurset kombinerer offensiv og defensiv sikkerhet. Du lærer ikke bare hvordan SQL Server sikres – men også hvordan angripere tenker og opererer. Denne helhetlige tilnærmingen gir dypere forståelse og sterkere praktisk sikkerhetskompetanse.

Hvilke forkunnskaper anbefales?
Det anbefales at du har solid erfaring med SQL Server-administrasjon og Windows Server-miljøer. Grunnleggende forståelse for nettverk og sikkerhet er en fordel.