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CIS SQL Server 2022 Benchmark

CIS SQL Server 2022 Benchmark, continuously evidenced.

The CIS Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Benchmark v1.2.1 defines 47 security controls covering SQL Server installation, surface area, server settings, authentication, authorization, password policies, auditing, replication, and Transparent Data Encryption. CISGuard's agent validates each control with database-level evidence and continuous drift detection.

Database & Web ServerAgentAll tier
Quick Facts

SQL Server 2022 benchmark at a glance.

Benchmark version
v1.2.1
Total controls
47
Scan type
Agent
Available tier
All plans
Category
Database & Web Server
Drift detection
Yes, between every scheduled scan
Coverage

What this benchmark actually covers.

  • Installation + surface area minimization
  • Server configuration (server-level options)
  • Authentication + authorization
  • Password policies + sa account hardening
  • SQL Server auditing
  • Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
  • Backup encryption
Frequently Asked

SQL Server 2022 questions, answered directly.

Does CISGuard support older SQL Server versions?

Yes. CISGuard supports SQL Server 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, and 2014 with corresponding CIS benchmarks. For end-of-support versions (2008, 2012), exception management documents the operational risk and any compensating mitigations (network isolation, additional monitoring).

Can CISGuard validate Transparent Data Encryption?

Yes. CIS SQL Server 2022 Benchmark requires Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for databases containing sensitive data. CISGuard validates TDE state per database, key source (database master key, customer-managed key in Key Vault), and encryption algorithm. Non-encrypted databases flagged as control failures unless exception is documented.

Does CISGuard support Azure SQL Database?

Azure SQL Database is covered by the CIS Azure Foundations Benchmark (database services section) and the CIS Azure Compute Benchmark, not by the SQL Server 2022 benchmark, which targets the boxed-product variant. CISGuard scans Azure SQL Database via the Azure Resource Manager API agentlessly.

Want a SQL Server 2022 scan of your environment?

Our compliance engineers will scope your environment and quote within one business day of an initial briefing.