Database Project

ISM3004 Database Project

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Upon completing the database project, I was able to successfully create queries, reports and forms for a database full of members. I learned and implemented how to create new tables and set a primary key. I also learned how to add new members to the table, form or report. I am now comfortable with using queries to return only certain information and certain fields. I am able to sort by specific groups and how to sort by specific fields and to have them not show in the Form. Your report not fitting onto your page correctly? No problem! I've learned to adjust a report and adjust it to use landscape orientation, so that it will fit on a single page easily! Databases are a great way to keep a business organized and to quickly look up specific information if needed!

If I was to improve the functionality of this database I would create validation text for whenever someone tries to change the MemberID field. It is read only but the project doesn't require it to display a validation text that prohibits the user from trying to enter a value. The only other thing that I would do was create a custom form of the data instead of a simple form that we have created in the database. I believe that I could have possibly made something better looking and more user friendly if I was to create the form by myself with the other options in Access.

Week 11: Clear on Danger in Data Breach

Is Your Private Information Safe? 

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Entering your information in a website could potentially be dangerous in the long run. The databases that hold your information could be compromised. If that happens, millions of people's information will be released, possibly to the public. Once a companies data is breached, they could have long term access without the company knowing. 

Many companies have been shunned in the past for their insecure databases which have ultimately led to millions of people's credentials to be released to hackers.  A firm example of this is the Playstation Network's massive data breach. A hacker that manipulated the system's security was able to extract millions of user's account information.

 This includes, but is not limited to:

• Their Name
• Their Address
• Their E-Mail Address
• Their Password that they may have used on other secure websites
• Their Credit Card Information

This will lead the company to run into lawsuits and a large reduction of sales. Who would want to buy from a company that just went through a terrible incident like that? I wouldn't trust a company that allowed a hacker to take millions of people's credit card information! The people who's information was leaked could potentially file a lawsuit against Sony for having their personal information made public to malicious users such as hackers due to the company's poor security system. For years now, people will think twice before putting their information on the playstation network again. Also, the government may have to intervene in some instances and have Sony follow set rules. Doing that will cause the company to lose many sales because they aren't focusing on profiting, just on meeting requirements. 

This is extremely relative to the business work because you may enter your personal information on a website and it may be in the wrong hands without you knowing. You may invest your companies' dollars into a company that has been breached. This could cause potential losses in profit and you may have to find other places to invest in. You must be very careful with your money and what you do with it!

An article i found particularly interesting was:

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/data-breach

This article explains what a data breach is in depth and really helps one understand the concepts. It was a great read!

Thanks for reading! See you next week!

Week 10: Clear on Basic Database Functions and Tables

Basic Database Functions and Tables

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This week I was able to surround myself with databases and basic Microsoft Access functions. I am running a Windows computer and used Microsoft Office Access 2007 to go through the Scavenger Hunt Questions and learn how everything works.

First, I practiced the use of tables in a database. Creating a table is easy, all you need to do is go to the Create Ribbon Bar in Microsoft Access, then Click on table in the top left hand corner. From there you can add new fields to the table by simply clicking on New Field in the Datasheet Ribbon Bar. In design view, you can add a description of the field as well! 

A Primary Key is extremely important when starting a blank database.  This is a value that is unique for each record in the database, and you only have one of these specific keys.  A Primary key can easily be set by right clicking on the field you wish to make a primary key, and clicking "Primary Key". You can also click on this field and select Primary Key on the ribbon bar. 

Also, you can configure a field to only accept a certain value by configuring it's validation, which can be found by going into Design View, clicking on a field, then clicking on the Property Sheet on the ribbon bar. You can enter a validation rule and validation text for when the rule fails. Need to import excel or CSV data into a new table? No problem! Simply go to the External Data Tab, choose the file you'd like to import, navigate to your file, then follow the Import Spreadsheet Wizard!

These concepts are very important in business because implementing Microsoft Access and databases into a company can help them become more organized. Doing this will help keep records for a companies employees, or anything that they'd like to have on reference. It is simple to create a database and very easy to reap the rewards of one by creating queries and forms. Databases are a must for businesses!

A great resource I found while researching databases was found here:

http://www.articlesbase.com/databases-articles/microsoft-access-in-todays-business-693002.html

The author explains exactly why modern day businesses should incorporate databases into their daily routines! It is a great read! 

Thanks for visiting my blog! See you next week!