SharePoint 2013 – Configure the Secure Store and create a Target Application

I am configuring a Secure Store and creating a Target Application to store credentials for an external SQL database using SQL authentication.  This is done in a few simple steps using Central Administration:

• Register a managed account to run the Secure Store application pool
• Create and start a Secure Store service application instance
• Generate a new key for the Secure Store service application
• Store credentials in the Secure Store

Step 1 – Register a managed account to run the Secure Store application pool

1. In Central Administration, under Security, click Configure managed accounts
2. Click Register Managed Account
3. Enter the username and password for the account.  Click OK

Step 2 – Create and start a Secure Store service application instance

1. In Central Administration, under Application Management, click Manage service applications
2. In the Service Applications ribbon click New and then select Secure Store Service
3. Enter a name for the Service Application, database details and choose to create a new application pool using the managed account configured in the previous step.  Click OK

Step 3 – Generate a new key for the Secure Store service application

1. In Central Administration, on the Manage service applications page, click the new Secure Store service application created in Step 2
2. In the Edit ribbon click Generate New Key
3. Enter a pass phrase and click OK

Step 4 – Store credentials in the Secure Store

1. In the Edit ribbon click New
2. Enter a Target Application ID, Display Name and Contact E-Mail.  Choose the application type and click Next
3. Change the Windows User Name field name to User Name and change the associated Field Type from Windows User Name to User Name, change the Windows Password field name to Password and change the associated Field Type from Windows Password to Password and click Next
4. Enter the name(s) of the users that will administer the target application and click OK
5. Select the check box for the new target application and Edit ribbon click Set
6. In the boxes provided add the user that will own the credentials, the username and password for the SQL database and click OK