Access Data Security Issue...

[Dave Jones]

Dear All.

I have an Access database running on a Windows 2000 Server.

All of my employees require access to the database to amend and update it.

But, I need to be able to stop people from being able to copy the access
data files from the server. I've tried permissions, but i didn't get very
far.

Can anybody help??

Kindest regards, and many thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Peter Russell]

But, I need to be able to stop people from being able to copy the access
data files from the server.

What objective are trying to meet here?

I don't think there is any way of preventing copying of a file in a
conventional Access configuration. But if you are trying to stop usage of
the data outside your company then you need to implement Access security
on the data file. This is not a trivial task, nor absolutely secure but
it may be sufficient. It depends on what you are really trying to
prevent.

Regards

Peter Russell

 

[Daran Johnson]

Dave,

Is the database split into a front-end/back-end configuation? If not then I
would do that first. Place the tables in one database on the server with a
global password. Place the forms, code, reports, and queries in another
database on the usre's machine and use the linked tables tool to link to the
tables from the database on the server.

The front-end can be given greater security by creating a workgroup file and
attaching the front-end database to it. I would suggest you read up on it
in the help files.

You can not keep the users from copying the database files. I have heard of
convoluted ways of trying to hide the database file but my opinion is that
the database file is password protected and even if they copy it from the
server they will not be able to open it or access any of the information
inside.

If you are in need of greater security then I would say that Access is an
unsuitable option for the task you are trying to accomplish. Migrate to a
more secure RDBMS such as SQL Server.

-Daran

 

[Mary Chipman]

The bottom line with Access security is that it squarely fits the
definition of "oxymoron". It will never be truly secure, and there is
no way to make it so. If users have file system permissions (which are
required if they are to work with the mdb), then they have permissions
to copy the mdb and mdw and do whatever they want with it. Going
through the trouble of implementing user-level security and other
obfuscation techniques may deter the ignorant, but never anyone who
knows the first thing about how Access actually works. If it is a
business requirement that the users not be able to copy data from the
file system, then you need to use SQL Server or another server
database where file system permissions are never granted to the data
files.

-- Mary
MCW Technologies
http://www.mcwtech.com