Implementing secure data storage in Excel for sensitive user information
I'm updating my dependencies and I'm stuck on something that should probably be simple. Recently started working with Excel as part of my portfolio project, and I need to secure sensitive user information stored in worksheets. The project involves capturing and analyzing user data, and while Excel is convenient for prototyping, I’m aware that data security is paramount. My challenge lies in ensuring that the data isn't easily accessible or tampered with. In my current implementation, I’m using Excel's built-in password protection feature, but I’m not sure if this is sufficient for the type of data I'm handling. Here's how I’m currently applying the password: ```vba Sub ProtectWorkbook() With ThisWorkbook .Password = "YourPasswordHere" .Save End With End Sub ``` This approach has worked for locking the workbook, but I still feel uneasy about the potential for unauthorized access, especially if someone knows the password. I've read conflicting opinions on whether this method provides adequate security. Exploring alternatives, I considered utilizing Excel's encryption features. I've read that using AES encryption could offer better protection, but I’m not entirely sure how to implement this in conjunction with my existing setup. Here’s a snippet I found: ```vba Sub EncryptWorkbook() Dim encryptionPassword As String encryptionPassword = "YourEncryptionPassword" ThisWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=ThisWorkbook.FullName, FileFormat:=xlOpenXMLWorkbook, Password:=encryptionPassword End Sub ``` However, I’m unsure how to effectively utilize this approach while also maintaining the ease of access for users who legitimately need to view the data. Additionally, I’d like to know if there are best practices regarding the storage of passwords within the code itself. For the record, I’m using Excel 2019 and VBA 7.1. Are there other methods or libraries available that could enhance the security of sensitive data within Excel? Your advice would help me solidify my understanding and implement a robust solution for data privacy. For reference, this is a production CLI tool. Thanks for taking the time to read this! My development environment is Debian. Thanks in advance!