Security Manager comes to FileMaker databases

Waves in Motion, which specializes in FileMaker Pro technology, has announced Security Manager, which is designed to simplify database administration, enhance data security, and make access easier for users.

“Security Manager facilitates managing user passwords and enhances security for folks that may need to manage, say, passwords to FileMaker Pro databases,” Waves in Motion president Vincenzo Menanno told MacCentral. “Our intention in developing it was to help manage passwords that are sometimes shared by lots of different people. This can be the bane of a FileMaker Pro administrator’s life. Security Manager is really a database with an authentification system that can figure out whether you’re who you say you are or not and if you have the correct password. It lets a user his manage own password and change it there’s a need. It’s a real time saver, and it beefs up security.”

With Security Manager, FileMaker passwords are encrypted with TrippleDES 128 bit encryption. User passwords are irreversibly hashed with the MD5 and TrippleDES 128 bit algorithms, for maximum password protection and unlimited password length.

Security Manager works with FileMaker Access Privileges, not against them, Menanno said. Administrators can create multiple groups and passwords in FileMaker Pro, with full support for layout, field and record level security. Another benefit is that a FM administrator can disable a user on a specified date. For instance, in the case of interns or temp workers who may need database access for a limited period of time. Security Manager also has some basic reporting features that let you see which privileges are for which users, a list of users, which ones have access to what, and more.

Security Manager is now available for download. The cost is US$250. It supports Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.