Subject: SAP-HANA-Live
In modern SAP environments, ensuring secure and controlled access to data is critical. With SAP HANA and the adoption of Core Data Services (CDS) views for data modeling and reporting, embedding authorization checks directly into CDS views has become a powerful technique to enforce data security at the database level.
This article explores how to implement authorization checks in CDS views—a key skill for developers and administrators working with SAP-HANA-Live data models.
Core Data Services (CDS) views are a new paradigm for defining semantic data models on SAP HANA. CDS views allow developers to create reusable, structured views with business logic embedded at the database layer, facilitating real-time reporting and analytics.
CDS views support annotations and extensions that allow developers to integrate authorization directly into the data retrieval process, ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive information.
SAP-HANA-Live offers pre-built, real-time operational reporting views based on core SAP business processes. Since these views expose critical business data, it is essential to protect them using fine-grained access controls.
Embedding authorization logic inside CDS views helps to:
Authorization in CDS views is typically implemented using Authorization Annotations and Authorization Objects. These are configured so that the CDS view restricts data access based on the user's roles and privileges.
Authorization Object
SAP authorization objects define a set of fields that represent a permission. For example, S_PLANT controls access based on plant authorization.
@AccessControl Annotation
CDS views use annotations to bind authorization objects to the view. The annotation @AccessControl.authorizationCheck instructs the system to enforce authorization at runtime.
Authorization Check DCLs (Data Control Language)
In ABAP CDS views, Data Control Language (DCL) can be used to define authorization logic that is automatically applied during data retrieval.
Determine which SAP authorization object applies to the business scenario (e.g., S_FLIGHT for flight data, S_DEPT for departments).
Authorization roles correspond to the access rights assigned to users in SAP.
Add the authorization annotation to the CDS view:
@AccessControl.authorizationCheck: #CHECK
define view Z_CDS_SalesOrder as select from sales_order {
key sales_order_id,
customer,
amount,
plant
}
Create a DCL that enforces authorization based on the CDS view fields and the authorization object.
@EndUserText.label: 'Authorization for Sales Order CDS View'
authorization-role Z_SALESORDER_AUTH {
grant select on Z_CDS_SalesOrder
where plant = $user.plant
}
Assign the authorization roles to users or user groups in the SAP system.
In SAP-HANA-Live scenarios, you often extend standard CDS views with custom fields or additional business logic. It is crucial to maintain or enhance authorization checks during these extensions.
Use @AccessControl.authorizationCheck and DCL objects consistently in extended views to ensure no security gaps.
Implementing authorization checks in CDS views is essential for securing real-time data models in SAP HANA, especially in SAP-HANA-Live environments where sensitive business data is exposed through operational reporting. By embedding authorization logic directly into the CDS layer, organizations can enforce robust, scalable, and efficient data security policies.
Mastering CDS authorization techniques empowers SAP developers and administrators to deliver secure and compliant analytical solutions in today's data-driven enterprise.