How do you encrypt data in SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL?

Short answer: LTER DATABASE MyDatabase SET ENCRYPTION ON; Column-Level Encryption: For encrypting specific columns. CREATE CERTIFICATE MyCertificate WITH SUBJECT = 'My Certificate'; CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256 ENCRYPTION BY CERTIFICATE MyCertificate; OPEN SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey DECRYPTION BY CERTIFICATE MyCertificate; PostgreSQL: pgcrypto extension provides functions for encrypting data.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s SQL Server database stores customers, products, and orders. Good indexes and clear foreign keys keep checkout queries fast and safe.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.