Professional Microsoft® SQL Server® Analysis Services 2008 with MDX

Chapter 22. Securing Your Data in Analysis Services

Your data has value, and as with any item of value it must be protected from outside threats. Security is the set of techniques used to provide you with that protection. Indeed, security is an important consideration in the area of business intelligence. Think about it — the very keys to your company's profitability can be surfaced through your data and analytical applications. Just as you secure your personal belongings in a safe place, like a safe deposit box, you must secure your corporate data and applications. In the real word, a safe deposit box has a lock on it requiring a key for entry; only people to whom you give access (provide with the key) can actually open the secured object. These concepts map directly onto Analysis Services security. Analysis Services provides you with ways to protect your data so that you can restrict access to only those users who are authorized.

The environment within which you are working has a significant impact on the security precautions you should take. In general, if a server is running within the confines of a firewall it helps mitigate the external threats posed and provides increased protection. Disabling unused services/features that can potentially be exploited by hackers is yet another way to reduce risk. Running servers under least-privilege accounts like the network service account also helps ensure your system will not be compromised. Analysis Services provides you with the ability ...