Question : SQL Encryption Key Error - SQL 2005

Reported Error:
The report server cannot decrypt the symmetric key. Most likely, the service account or password has changed. To continue, run rsconfig.exe to update the report server account information.\r\n

In Configure Report Server, under Encryption Keys, I attempted to backup the key and got the following error:

ReportServicesConfigUI.WMIProvider.WMIProviderException: The report server cannot decrypt the symmetric key used to access sensitive or encrypted data in a report server database. You must either restore a backup key or delete all encrypted content. Check the documentation for more information. (rsReportServerDisabled)
   at ReportServicesConfigUI.WMIProvider.RSReportServerAdmin.ThrowOnError(ManagementBaseObject mo)
   at ReportServicesConfigUI.WMIProvider.RSReportServerAdmin.BackupEncryptionKey(Byte[]& encryptedBytes, String password)

I have read that I can delete this key and generate a new one safely. True?

If this is safe to do, then how do I create a new key?

Thanks.

Answer : SQL Encryption Key Error - SQL 2005

You can do this but, in Reporting Services Configuration but, you will have to reset all the connection strings on your shared data sources and every report that has a data source of its own. If you have more than 20 reports this will be a large project. If you don't reset the passwords reports and scheduled reports will fail to be delivered or generated on the fly.

If you do this back up the key after you reset it and place that *.snk file some where on the server where you will find it again to restore from the key. I usually back up the key as the name of the service account that runs SSRS. svc_SSRS_agent.snk and use the password for the service account as the password for the key. The password for the account that SSRS is running on should not be changing frequently or you will have to do this again.