Although the system is definitely insecure, it offers a really efficient way to build UIs quickly. Sure, there are limitations, and the UI doesn't exactly meet security standards. But it's still functional enough to get the job done. It's a usable UI in the sense that it lets you interact and perform a variety of tasks, but let's be clear: it's nowhere near a robust, safe environment.
Just think about it: you're basically hoping your users don't do anything malicious. And honestly, do you really think there won't be any bad actors eventually? I mean, think about it: what if some users aren't supposed to see sensitive stuff, like company profits or individual salaries? What if they're able to view how much vacation a certain person is allowed to take, payroll details, or confidential project budgets? Think: subcontractors.
But it doesn't stop there. What if they gain access to even more critical data, like HR files, customer credit card info (yikes!), or system admin passwords? Imagine if private email communications, client contracts, and trade secrets were exposed. What about internal audit results, sensitive medical data, or legal documents that should remain strictly confidential?
Then there are things like personnel evaluations, marketing strategies, intellectual property, or even database connection strings that could end up in the wrong hands. What if employees can access financial transactions they shouldn't see, or view projects in development that haven't been announced yet, where they were not included? Even worse, what if someone gains access to the company's entire client list, email marketing campaign data, or product pricing models to replicate the whole business somewhere else?
The list goes on, and it's a serious concern. With a system this insecure, it's hard to feel safe knowing that so much sensitive data is just waiting to be mishandled, intentionally or otherwise. Wanna consider a lawyer? you better do.
On top of that, Access can be pretty unpredictable when you try to create custom workflows or add features to components that really need them. What works smoothly in one scenario can suddenly break when conditions change, and often, it's in ways you don't expect. These issues can be tough to predict because the underlying causes are often hidden, undocumented, and deeply ingrained in how the system operates. This lack of transparency makes troubleshooting a serious headache, since the root cause is rarely clear.
Then there are things like personnel evaluations, marketing strategies, intellectual property, or even database connection strings that could end up in the wrong hands. What if employees can access financial transactions they shouldn't see, or view projects in development that haven't been announced yet, where they were not included? Even worse, what if someone gains access to the company's entire client list, email marketing campaign data, or product pricing models to replicate the whole business somewhere else?
The list goes on, and it's a serious concern. With a system this insecure, it's hard to feel safe knowing that so much sensitive data is just waiting to be mishandled, intentionally or otherwise. Wanna consider a lawyer? you better do.
On top of that, Access can be pretty unpredictable when you try to create custom workflows or add features to components that really need them. What works smoothly in one scenario can suddenly break when conditions change, and often, it's in ways you don't expect. These issues can be tough to predict because the underlying causes are often hidden, undocumented, and deeply ingrained in how the system operates. This lack of transparency makes troubleshooting a serious headache, since the root cause is rarely clear.
Despite all the issues, we usually find workarounds, like using MSSQL to some extent. The core system may be unstable when pushed beyond its basic limits, but there's often a temporary fix, even if it feels like a quick patch. Ultimately, you're relying on hope that things will go smoothly. As a developer, though, you can't ignore these shortcomings, they're always there. But then again, more robust systems require more robust specs and a significant extra development time, so, it's a trade-off.
