Revoke Users Access on Schema in Azure SQL

Introduction

In this article, we will explore how to revoke users’ access to a specific schema in an Azure SQL database. We will also discuss the steps required to remove all permissions and access to that schema.

Understanding Schemas in Azure SQL

Before diving into the process of revoking access to a schema, it’s essential to understand what schemas are and their role in an Azure SQL database.

A schema is a logical grouping of tables, views, stored procedures, functions, and other database objects. It serves as a container for these objects and helps organize them based on their purpose or functionality.

Creating a Schema

To create a new schema, you can use the following T-SQL command:

CREATE SCHEMA Schema_Name;

Granting Access to a Schema

To grant access to a schema, you need to create a database role and add the required permissions. Here’s an example of how to do this:

Step 1: Create a Database Role

Create a new database role using the following T-SQL command:

CREATE ROLE DB_Role;

Step 2: Grant Permissions to the Role

Grant select, insert, update, and delete permissions to the role using the following T-SQL commands:

GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO DB_Role;
GRANT INSERT ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO DB_Role;
GRANT UPDATE ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO DB_Role;
GRANT DELETE ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO DB_Role;

Step 3: Create an Azure AD Group

Create a new Azure AD group using the Azure portal.

Step 4: Create a Database User with the Same Name as the Azure AD Group

Create a new database user with the same name as the Azure AD group using the following T-SQL command:

CREATE USER [Azure_AD_Group_Name] FOR LOGIN [Azure_AD_Group_Name];

Adding the User to the Role

To add the user to the role, use the following T-SQL command:

EXEC sp_addrolemember @rolename = 'DB_Role', @membername = '[Azure_AD_Group_Name]';

Revoke Users Access on Schema

Now that we have a user with access to the schema, let’s discuss how to revoke their access.

Step 1: Remove the User from the Azure AD Group

Removing the user from the Azure AD group will prevent them from accessing the schema. However, this alone may not be enough to completely revoke their access.

Denying Permissions on the Schema

To deny permissions on the schema and prevent the user from accessing it, use the following T-SQL commands:

DENY SELECT,VIEW DEFINITION ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO [Azure_AD_Group_Name];
DENY INSERT ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO [Azure_AD_Group_Name];
DENY UPDATE ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO [Azure_AD_Group_Name];
DENY DELETE ON SCHEMA::Schema_Name TO [Azure_AD_Group_Name];

These commands deny all permissions on the schema to the specified user and role.

Conclusion

Revoke users’ access to a specific schema in an Azure SQL database requires more than just removing them from the Azure AD group. You need to deny all permissions on the schema using T-SQL commands.

By following these steps, you can ensure that users no longer have access to the schema and cannot run any commands or execute queries on it.

Troubleshooting

If you’re still experiencing issues with revoked access, there are a few things to check:

Ensure that the user is removed from the Azure AD group.
Verify that the database role has been granted correctly.
Check that the schema permissions have been denied using T-SQL commands.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve any issues and ensure that users no longer have access to the schema.

Best Practices

When revoking users’ access to a schema in an Azure SQL database:

Always remove the user from the Azure AD group.
Deny all permissions on the schema using T-SQL commands.
Verify that the database role has been granted correctly.
Check for any remaining objects or dependencies that may still allow access to the schema.

By following these best practices, you can ensure a secure and organized database environment.

Last modified on 2025-02-19