Security information is exposed in catalog views that are optimized for performance and utility. When possible, use the following catalog views to access catalog metadata.
sys.database_permissions
sys.database_role_members
sys.database_principals
sys.master_key_passwords
sys.server_permissions
sys.sql_logins
sys.server_principals
sys.system_components_surface_area_configuration
sys.server_role_members
sys.asymmetric_keys
sys.crypt_properties
sys.certificates
sys.key_encryptions
sys.credentials
sys.symmetric_keys