Real World Microsoft Access Database Protection and Security

This book is exactly what it proports to be. It covers all the Access versions being used in the development world – 97 to 2003. It does not spend half to 2/3 of the book on basic Access tables, querries, reports or vb code that developers already know, but from the first page to the last covers security and protection.

It uses real world examples and code to demonstrate how developers who are proud of their work can protect and secure their Access database so it operates as designed and your intellectual property is not avialable for all to see and use.

Well written from a developer who is obviously using these techniques in his own business every day, the code and screen dumps are easy to follow and can be migrated straight to your current work.

If you are a Access developer selling your work or having others use your work, this book is a must have. It will save time and money in the future by not having to maintain database that have been deliberately or inadvertantly changed. It is an area usually left to last in the development cycle then dropped at the end as too difficult with no return on your investment. This book shows with planning and little effort how easy it is to secure Access databases.

A must have for any Access developer or power user.
Rating: 5 / 5

Garry Robinson’s book is well written and clear. He covers the security issues thoroughly. As one reads the book, it becomes clear that Microsoft has not and apparantly has no plans to beef up security for Access. It is plagued with holes. But the book provides methods for plugging these holes. Purchasers of the book can download an accompanying database with forms that assist developers with implementing security. These forms have saved me countless hours in programming. These savings alone pay for the cost of the book many times over.

I spent quite a bit of time researching Access security through the Microsoft website and this was a complete waste of time. There are holes in the security that MS doesn’t even mention (what a surprise).

This book is well worth the money for anyone who is serious about securing their proprietary efforts.
Rating: 5 / 5

I recently purchased Garry’s book. It provided me security solutions that I never read in any other Access book before.

Every subject is described in great detail and the downloadable sample forms and functions make it easy to quickly create a secure database.

When I got stuck on an issue, I emailed Garry and asked his team for some advice. I wasn’t sure if anyone on his team would even respond. However, Garry himself answered the question within less than 1 hour and provided me the answer to the problem.

Now — in my opionion — that absolutely awesome!!!
Rating: 5 / 5

This has got to be the best MS Access resource book that I have purchased. Like others, I have found MS Access security hard to understand but with Gary Robinson’s help I am now getting a grasp on how I can keep sensitive data secure. The book is aimed at those who are new to security as well as those with experience. Also, the downloable database, with forms and code that you can easily use in your own applications, is a real time saver.

I especially like how he has broken down the overview for each chapter with segments aimed at Developers, DBA’s and the IT Managers. In these overviews he explains what in the chapter is important to the reader by their role. The book is arranged so you can easily locate the information you need and not have to go through the whole book to be able to accomplish your security goal. But I recommend that you do read the entire book as it has so much to offer! I am on my second read through.

Rating: 5 / 5

Somehow I find myself responsible for security of an Access database and am learning as I go. Until I found this book, workgroups were a mystery and very easily messed up.

The way this book is written is precisely what I needed, as a novice to much of this stuff. Being able to set up and maintain an Access database on one PC is a totally different animal from using SQL and a front-end on a network and making it all secure. First the author says what he’s going to teach, then he outlines how he will present the information and why, and then he proceeds to the real meaty stuff. Because of this you understand which sections particularly apply to what you are doing. My copy already opens automatically to Chapter 8 where I have to admit I needed to start more than once. That is more a function of my lack of knowledge than of the way the chapter is written. The notes and tips are all gems. The instructions are clear and don’t leave out any steps. There are details and screen shots all the way along that make it clear if you have made a mistake before you get too far past it. For example, page 262, step 7 my copy has a note added in pencil by me, first time through ‘This didn’t happen’ – should have been a warning but I kept going. Had to go back later and correct things. It taught me to trust the instructions to the letter and not to proceed until what I am doing matches what is in the instructions.’ I told you I was a novice! Too many computer manuals are written for the advanced expert – we’re not all advanced experts! This book has been exactly what I needed.

Maybe it’s because Garry hails from down under. Maybe New Zealanders and Australians think differently – whatever it is, this ex-pat Kiwi is glad to have found this book.
Rating: 5 / 5