Column encryption questions

With SQL Server 2005 encryption:

1. Is it possible to encrypt a column "in place" - or do we always need to create a new varbinary column to hold the encrypted column? Some products (NetLib Encryptionizer) seem to be able to encrypt an existing column in place.

2.If you encrypt an existing column to a new varbinary column, it it customary to then ALTER the table and delete the existing plain-text column?

Thanks...

Anyone? I mean, does everyone create new columns all the time?

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HI John,

i think these articles will clear your doubts

http://www.tometasoftware.com/MySQL-5-vs-Microsoft-SQL-Server-2005.asp

http://www.netlib.com/sql-column-encryption-api.shtml

http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=928

Hemantgiri S. Goswami

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1) No, you cannot encrypt in place, as the output of the encryption may not make sense as a value of the original data type; so, you need to create the varbinary column.

2) Yes, you would want to delete the old column, after encrypting it.

Thanks
Laurentiu