SSLMODE= LIBNAME Statement Option

Specifies support for a TLS encrypted connection to your data source.

Valid in: SAS/ACCESS LIBNAME statement
Category: Data Access
Default: prefer
Restriction: You must specify the value for this option in lowercase.
Data source: PostgreSQL, Yellowbrick
Note: Support for Yellowbrick was added in SAS 9.4M7.

Table of Contents

Syntax

SSLMODE='value'

Syntax Description

value

specifies whether to support encryption when SAS/ACCESS connects to your database.

Here are the possible values:

allow Encryption is not required, but encryption is accepted if the DBMS server requires it.
disable Do not use encryption when connecting to the database.
prefer Encryption is not required, but encryption should be used if it is available.
require Encryption is required when connecting to the database.
verify-ca Encryption is required, and an authentication certificate might be required. Whether an authentication certificate is required depends on your database policy.
verify-full Encryption and an authentication certificate are required.

Details

In order for a database connection to be secure, encryption usage must be configured on the DBMS server and on the SAS/ACCESS client.

The following table shows whether third-party observation of connection parameters and data is possible for each SSLMODE= value. It also shows whether there is protection against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, in which data is modified or diverted during transfer even if the data is encrypted. The value for SSLMODE= specifies whether to use certificate verification to prevent these attacks.

Security Details for SSLMODE= Values

SSLMODE= Value

Protects from Third-Party Observation?

Protects from MITM Attacks?

allow

Yes, if encryption is used. Otherwise, no.

No

disable

No

No

prefer

Yes, if encryption is used. Otherwise, no.

No

require

Yes

No

verify-ca

Yes

Depends on certificate authentication policy of the DBMS

verify-full

Yes

Yes

Last updated: February 3, 2026