What Are Our  Most Popular  Blog Posts in 2025?

Most-Read SQL Server Posts of 2025 | Security, Auditing & Performance

What Are Our  Most Popular  Blog Posts in 2025?

As 2025 comes to a close, I took a look at the most-read articles on gethynellis.com to understand what SQL Server and data professionals were searching for most this year. Mainly to understand how the content we create is helping people. From security and permissions to auditing, performance, and even data-driven Fantasy Premier League analysis, these posts highlight the real-world challenges teams are still facing, and the practical guidance they’re actively looking for.

How Do You Check If Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) Is Enabled in SQL Server?

This practical post walks through simple, reliable ways to confirm whether Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is enabled on your SQL Server instance. It remained the most-read article of the year, reflecting how critical data security checks still are for SQL Server professionals.

Read: How to Check if TDE is Enabled on Your SQL Server

How Do You Grant Permissions to Use SQL Server Agent Safely?

A concise guide explaining how SQL Server Agent permissions actually work, cutting through common confusion around roles and security.
This post clearly resonated with DBAs and developers dealing with locked-down or production environments.

Read: How to grant permission to use the SQL Server Agent?

How Can You Identify the SQL Server Service Account Quickly?

This article shows several quick methods to identify which service account your SQL Server services are running under.
It’s a small but essential task that regularly crops up during audits, migrations, and troubleshooting.

Read: How to easily identify the service account of a SQL Server

How Do You Audit DML Changes in SQL Server Using Built-In Auditing?

A deeper, more technical walkthrough on configuring SQL Server Auditing to track data changes reliably.
The longer average time on page suggests readers were engaging properly with this end-to-end security and compliance topic.

Read: How to Set Up SQL Server Auditing to Capture DML Operations

Why Do Organisations Still Need SQL Server Specialists in 2025?

This page outlines how I support organisations with SQL Server consulting, troubleshooting, and optimisation.
Its continued popularity shows a steady demand for experienced, pragmatic SQL Server help rather than generic advice.

Read: Microsoft SQL Server Specialists

How Can You Archive SQL Server Data to a Serverless Database to Reduce Costs?

A hands-on guide to reducing costs and improving performance by archiving cold data into a serverless SQL environment.
This post reflects growing interest in pragmatic cloud cost-control strategies rather than “lift and shift” migrations.

Read: Archiving SQL Server Data to a Serverless Instance – A Practical Walkthrough

What Is SQL Server Configuration Manager and Why Is It Important?

This article explains what SQL Server Configuration Manager actually does and why it still matters.
It’s a reminder that many critical SQL Server issues start with fundamentals that are often overlooked.

Read: Understanding SQL Server Configuration Manager

What Is Cross-Database Ownership Chaining in SQL Server and Is It Secure?

A clear explanation of a commonly misunderstood SQL Server security feature, including why it can be risky if misused.
The strong engagement suggests security-related “gotchas” continue to be a priority for teams.

Read: What is cross db ownership chaining in SQL Server?

How Can Data Analytics Improve Fantasy Premier League Performance?

Stepping outside pure SQL Server content, this post applies data analytics to Fantasy Premier League strategy.
Its popularity shows there’s strong crossover interest between data skills and real-world, fun applications.

Read: The Best FPL Formation for 2024/2025: A Data-Driven Guide to Maximising Your Points

How Do You Count Rows Across Multiple Tables in SQL Server?

One of the oldest posts on the site, but still heavily read, this article solves a deceptively simple reporting problem that keeps coming up.
Its longevity highlights the value of clear, reusable SQL patterns that stand the test of time.

Read: How to Count the Total Number of Rows Across Multiple Tables

What These Most-Read Posts Tell Us Going Into 2026

What stands out from this list is a clear demand for clear, actionable SQL Server advice grounded in real operational scenarios rather than theory.
As we head into 2026, I’ll continue focusing on practical guidance around SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, data platforms, and analytics—helping organisations make better decisions with their data and get more value from the platforms they already run.

Related Services

Many of the challenges highlighted in these most-read posts—security, performance, cost control, and platform clarity—are the same issues I help organisations address through my Data Platform & Analytics Accelerator.
It’s designed to bring structure, momentum, and confidence to teams whose data platforms have grown organically and need a clear path forward.

For technology leaders who need ongoing strategic guidance rather than a one-off engagement, my
Data Leadership as a Service offering supports CIOs and Heads of IT with roadmap definition, decision-making, and long-term platform direction.

Useful Links

The Cost of Doing Nothing: How Ignoring Data Strategy Drains SME Growth

Fractional Data Leadership: Bridging Technical and Commercial

Building a Data-Driven Story: From Reports to Impact