Set up a Secure Database w File & Folder Security
Welcome
In this seminar, you will learn how to set up a database using Microsoft Access with multiple back-end (table) files: one that every database user can access, and another for sensitive information, such as financial data, that only a small, select group of users can access. You will then learn how to use Windows file and folder sharing to secure the sensitive back-end database file so that only the users you select can read that data.
This seminar stands on its own, however you will benefit the most if you take this seminar after watching my Access Security Seminar. That seminar focuses mainly on locking down and securing your FRONT-end file (forms, reports, queries, VBA code, etc.) whereas this one focuses on hiding and securing your back-end data files.
Resources
Relationships Covered
- Set up multiple customer tables, one for normal data, one for sensitive data
- Build two customer forms; the sensitive form requiring a password to open
- Split your database into 3 files: front end and two back-end files for tables
- Create shared folders on your server or Windows PC
- Use Windows-level file & folder security to prevent access to the sensitive data
- Move the back-end files to the server and relink with the Linked Table Manager
- Encrypt your front-end database and create an ACCDE file
Topics Covered
In Lesson 1, we'll talk about WHY you should split your database and what security benefits it provides. In our example, we'll build a customer database. Most of the customer information has to be accessible by all of the users of our database (name, address, phone number, etc.) however some of the information needs to be kept secure and ONLY visible to a select few (credit card numbers, balances, credit limits, etc.)
In Lesson 2, we'll set up a customer table, a secure customer table, and then we'll set up a one-to-one relationship between them.
In Lesson 3, we'll build a customer form and a secure customer form. We'll set up a command button to open the secure form but require a password via an inputbox. Users will need the password to open the secure form. Then we'll hide the navigation pane on database startup so that users can't just browse to your secure form and open it themselves.
In Lesson 4, we'll split the database into three files: one for our front-end objects (queries, forms, reports, modules, etc.) and then two back-end files: one for the normal customer data, and another for the sensitive, secure data.
In Lesson 5, you'll see how to set up shared folders on your network file server. I'll show Windows 2000 Server, but most versions of Windows Server work the same. I'll also show an example using just peer-to-peer file sharing on Windows 7 machines. We'll then move the back-end database files to these shared folders and use the Linked Table Manager to tell the front-end database where they went.
By using the techniques in JUST this seminar, you can reasonably secure your data against unauthorized access from users on your network. Coupled with the techniques shown in my Security Seminar and Data Encryption Seminar, you can really create a locked-down database without the need for a Database Server program. Of course, if you have any questions about whether or not this seminar is for you, please contact me.
Pre-Requisites
It is strongly recommended that you have completed my entire Access Beginner and Expert series. My Security Seminar is recommended, but not required.
Version
I am using Access 2010 in this seminar, however the lessons are perfectly valid for all versions of Access from 2003 and later. It's currently 2022 and I just recently verified that everything in this seminar still works with Access 2019 and Office 365.
Enroll Today
Enroll now so that you can watch these lessons, learn with us, post questions, and more.
Questions?
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. If you are not sure as to whether or not this product will meet your needs, I'd rather help you before you buy it. Remember, all sales are final. Thank you.
Keywords
microsoft access split database, security, database splitter, windows, file share, permissions, accde, encrypt database
