Business data is more precious and vulnerable than ever in the modern world. A single data breach can have disastrous effects on reputation, compliance, and trust, regardless of whether it involves proprietary workflows, financials, or customer information. Because of this, the foundation of everything we develop in FileMaker is security.
When you choose us to build your FileMaker solution, you’re not just getting a powerful app — you’re getting a fortress for your data.
Here’s how we make your FileMaker system bulletproof.
1. End-to-End Encryption: Your Data Is Protected Everywhere
Encryption at Rest
We encrypt your FileMaker database files using AES‑256 when they’re stored on disk.
- This means even if someone accesses the raw database file, they can’t read your data without the encryption password.
- We set up strong composite keys (protected by shared IDs) so multiple interlinked encrypted files can work together securely.
- If you’re using FileMaker Cloud, the platform also automatically encrypts files at rest.
Encryption in Transit
All communications between clients (FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, WebDirect) and the server are protected using SSL/TLS.
- We set up trusted SSL certificates (not self-signed) from Certificate Authorities to avoid browser warnings and man-in-the-middle attacks.
- For modern deployments, we can integrate Let’s Encrypt for automated certificate issuance and renewal, making sure your SSL stays valid without manual effort.
2. Secure Authentication & Access Control
Flexible Authentication Methods
- We support external authentication, so you can integrate your FileMaker system with Active Directory (AD), OAuth 2.0 providers, or other identity systems.
- This lets you centralize user management and enforce enterprise-grade login policies.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- To drastically reduce the risk of stolen credentials, we enforce two‑factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- This means even if someone guesses or steals a password, they still need the second factor (authenticator app, email code, etc.) to log in.
Granular Privileges
- We design role-based privilege sets, applying the “principle of least privilege” so users only access what they genuinely need.
- Access can be restricted on a very detailed level: by layout, record, script, or even value list.
- We carefully manage Extended Privileges (like WebDirect, OData, Data API) so only authorized users and systems can access advanced features.
3. Robust Audit Trail & Monitoring
- We implement logging and audit trails using FileMaker script triggers (like
OnRecordCommit) combined with our own custom logging system. - Every critical action — data changes, login attempts, admin tasks — is recorded.
- We review these logs regularly (or help you set up automated alerts) so any suspicious behavior can be caught early.
4. Server Hardening and Secure Deployment
Secure Server Setup
- Whether you’re using FileMaker Server or FileMaker Cloud, we ensure it’s configured with security in mind:
- Only trusted SSL certificates are used.
- We disable unused services and extended privileges.
- For LDAP or directory service integrations, we enforce SSL for directory lookups.
- Idle or inactive sessions are disconnected to minimize risk.
Infrastructure Compliance
- If you’re on FileMaker Cloud, you benefit from Claris’ infrastructure security — including SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications.
- For on-prem setups, we guide or assist in implementing secure backups, disaster recovery, and access restrictions.
5. API & Integration Security
- For integrations (third-party apps, web services, automation), we use token-based authentication instead of hardcoded credentials — especially on FileMaker Cloud.
- These tokens are scoped (limited to specific resources) and can be revoked if compromised.
- This modern approach drastically reduces risk and supports compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
6. Backup & Disaster Recovery Strategy
- We set up automated backups (local + offsite/cloud) so your data is safe even in worst-case scenarios.
- Backup files can be encrypted, and key management is done securely so that only authorized personnel can access them.
- We also run regular recovery drills to ensure backups can be restored reliably under stress.
7. User Education & Security Culture
- We don’t just build a secure system — we help instill a security-aware culture:
- Train your users on strong password practices, phishing awareness, and secure data usage.
- Develop clear security policies and procedures (e.g., password rotation, account deactivation).
- Encourage users to report suspicious activity, and set up mechanisms for that.
8. Continuous Security Improvement
- Security is not “set it and forget it.” We do periodic reviews to ensure your FileMaker system stays up to date with best practices.
- Whenever new FileMaker versions or patches arrive, we advise on applying them to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- We proactively monitor threat trends and suggest enhancements (for example, enabling new security features) when they become available.
Why Our Approach Makes Us the Ideal Partner
- Expertise + Experience
We don’t just “build FileMaker apps”; we architect them with security at the heart. Our team knows how to use FileMaker’s advanced security features — encryption, 2FA, external authentication — properly. - Trust as a Priority
When you partner with us, your data’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability become our responsibility. We design systems that not only work — but are safe from inside and out. - Compliance-Ready Systems
Whether you need to meet GDPR, HIPAA, or industry standards, our FileMaker solutions are built to support compliance through encryption, logging, and robust access control. - Proactive Protection
Instead of waiting for a breach, we build preventative security: strong architecture, secure integrations, and continuous monitoring. - User-Friendly & Secure
We design systems that are easy to use, but difficult to break into. Your team can work efficiently — and securely — without friction.
Final Thoughts
In a world where data is one of your most valuable assets, compromise is not an option. At the same time, security should not slow your business down — it should accelerate it. That’s exactly what our FileMaker solutions deliver: enterprise-grade security without sacrificing usability or speed.
When you hire us, you’re not just investing in a FileMaker app. You’re investing in a trusted partner that will guard your business data like it’s our own.
Ready to secure your business with a FileMaker system built for protection, reliability, and scalability?
Let’s talk — we’ll design a solution that gives you peace of mind and keeps your data safe.
