title: Remote Microsoft SQL Server Connection Security
body: <p>I have access to a Virtual Server (Windows server 2003) where I am administering ASP.NET website and a MS-SQL Database.</p>
  
  <p>Currently there are some security issues that are preventing me from connecting to the SQL Server from my personal PC. the reason I need to do this is because I have to sync the live database with the significant changes I have made on my local test database.</p>
  
  <p>After days of trying to solve the security issue I email the server owners who then forwarded to a technician. His reply was this:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>What your IT guy is asking for is a violation of our IP security standards. We do not allow remote SQL connectivity, as this information is transmitted in clear text and is therefore not encrypted.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I have never heard of this and in every job as a .NET developer I have had, there has been remote connections via SQL Server manager to databases on different servers. </p>
  
  <p>Is what he is saying true?</p>