Using Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for SQL Server
1. Why Use gMSA for SQL Server
- Automatic password management
> Windows rotates gMSA passwords every 30 days (default) with 120‑character complex values.
> No manual resets, no service interruptions, no password expiry incidents. - Improved security posture
> Passwords are never known to humans.
> Reduces insider risk and credential theft surface.
> Supports Kerberos authentication and SPN management. - Centralized lifecycle management
> Managed entirely through Active Directory.
> Easy to delegate control to specific teams (DBA, infra, security) - High Availability friendly
> Works seamlessly with SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) and Always On Availability Groups.
> Same gMSA can run SQL services across multiple nodes.
