Updated Free Tool: PowerShell Scripts for SQL Server 5.0: Added Center for Internet Security (CIS) Benchmarks

by Feb 16, 2018

IDERA released an update of its free tool PowerShell Scripts for SQL Server. This release features 30 new scripts for Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks.

The CIS benchmarks consist of objective, consensus-driven security configuration guidelines for Microsoft SQL Server Server to safeguard against today’s evolving cyber threats. The implemented CIS benchmarks refer to surface area reduction, authentication and authorization, password policies, auditing and logging, application development, and start and stop SQL Server browser service.

The free tool now contains 132 sample scripts that demonstrate various techniques for gathering and managing SQL Server objects using PowerShell. The scripts refer to SQL Server’s Database Engine, Analysis Services, Integration Services, and Reporting Services. Each script is provided for educational purposes only. The scripts can be loaded and run using default parameters against a local installation of SQL Server, custom parameters can be provided via command line parameters, and the scripts prompt for missing parameters. Load the scripts into IDERA’s free tool PowerShell Plus to review before running and use the interactive console to review the results.

For the Database Engine: Start and stop services; connect to an instance and get connection information; manage databases and script out databases; set adaptive query processing; manage policies and error logs; manage firewall rules, logins, and assemblies; manage backups and agent jobs; and get extended event information.

For in-memory databases: Get overall memory utilization, size on disk, detailed utilization by table, and checkpoint size.

For the Query Store: Enable and disable the Query Store; get information about query plans in the Query Store; get activity status; set maximum data retention size; and set automatic tuning of queries via the Query Store.

For Analysis Services: Connect to an instance and get connection information; get a list of databases; and backup databases, manage backup retention, and restore databases.

For Integration Services: Start and stop services; connect to an instance and get connection information; manage packages and catalogs; and publish projects.

For Reporting Services: Start and stop services; connect to an instance and get connection information; backup and restore encryption keys; get configuration information and event log information.

For general utilities: Get a list of registered instances; ping instances and get their status; set aliases for instances; get advanced properties by service; add service account to local security privilege; and get and set power plans.

Download the updated PowerShell Scripts for SQL Server today to administer SQL Server. Refer also to IDERA’s Community Forum for PowerShell Scripts for SQL Server.