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Introduction
In this blog, we will learn how to configure Data Block/Suppression in Analytical Queries to block access of certain sensitive Business Partner records displayed in it. Analytical Queries are used for reporting and analysis.
Attribute based authorizations are dynamic determination mechanism which determines whether a user is authorized to access specific data sets which can be based on the context attributes of the user and data (for example, price of certain sensitive materials are masked).
S/4HANA Embedded Analytics
Analytics is one of the most typical and tangible value of S/4HANA. S/4HANA Embedded Analytics is the function for real-time operational analytics in S/4HANA. It consists of ABAP CDS Views as data source and Fiori Analytical application as the frontend. As the frontend, other than S/4HANA Embedded Analytics, SAP Analytics Cloud is available which is used together with S/4HANA embedded analytics.
SAP Query Browser app
SAP Query Browser is a powerful Fiori app for embedded analytics which is used to view, retrieve, and analyze analytical queries. It is used to search, browse, and tag the analytical queries quickly and easily. It is available as a tile in SAP Fiori Launchpad. It displays all the authorized SAP standard and custom analytical queries to which the user has access.
SAP_BR_EMPLOYEE Query Browser role must be assigned to a user to access the Query Browser app.
To launch the Query Browser application, choose Query Browser from the Query Browser catalog.
In Query Browser app, analytical queries can be searched using view names, view descriptions, view column names, annotations, tables, and user added tags.
Here, we will use SAP Query Browser to showcase Data Blocking/Suppression of sensitive records of analytical queries. We will configure Data Blocking/Suppression through Manage Sensitive Attributes app provided by UI Data Protection Masking for SAP S/4HANA 2011 solution based on Attribute Based Authorization Control (ABAC) concept.
Before Data Block/Suppression Configuration:
Business Partner records highlighted in the below image need to be suppressed in C_AT_STRPTAXITEMQUERY Query.
After Data Block/Suppression Configuration:
After suppression configuration, highlighted Business Partner records in above image has been suppressed and unauthorized users cannot access those records anymore.
Manage Sensitive Attributes app
The Manage Sensitive Attributes application allows you to maintain configuration for UI data protection in an SAP Fiori-based UI.
This application brings together several individual transactions, simplifying the maintenance of masking configuration and presenting a holistic picture to the end user. With this app, you can:
- Create, update, and delete sensitive attributes
- Define masking and blocking configurations
- Manage technical attribute mappings
- Create and assign context attributes
- Create and assign derived attributes and lists of values
You can use the app on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Prerequisite
UI Data Protection Masking for SAP S/4HANA is a solution that allows you to protect restricted and sensitive data values at field level by masking, clearing, or disabling fields for those users who are not authorized to view or edit this data.
Product “UI data protection masking for SAP S/4HANA” is used in this scenario to protect sensitive data at field level and must be installed in the S/4HANA system.
The product is a cross-application product which can be used to mask/protect any field in SAP GUI, SAPUI5/SAP Fiori, CRM Web Client UI, and Web Dynpro ABAP.
Requirement
Here, we want to configure Data Blocking/Suppression for Sensitive Business Partner Records in C_AT_STRPTAXITEMQUERY query result using Attribute-based authorization concept.
Product “UI data protection masking for SAP S/4HANA 2011” is used in this scenario to protect sensitive data at field level and must be installed in the S/4HANA system.
Let’s begin
Configuration to achieve Data Block/Suppression in Analytical Query
Login to Fiori Launchpad and click on “Manage Sensitive Attributes” app available under “UI data protection masking” catalog.
Maintain Sensitive Attributes
A Sensitive Attribute is a type of logical attribute that define a field which needs to be configured for UI data protection.
- Click on Add icon
- Enter “LA_EA_BP_NAME” in Sensitive Attribute field
- Enter “EA Business Partner Name” in Description field
- Click on “Create” button
- Sensitive Attribute with specified details will be created.
Maintain Mapping to Technical Addresses
In the Manage Sensitive Attributes application, you can link technical addresses of fields to sensitive attributes. A technical address describes the exact technical path or technical information which is used by the solution to process the field for UI data protection masking.
To suppress the records in Analytical Queries, Technical Information (InfoProvider-Query-InfoObject) is required. To retrieve the Technical Address for Analytical Query fields, you need to use Recording Tool feature to get the Technical Address as Technical Information on press of F1 key is not available here.
Refer to this blog to know how to use the Recording tool.
Under Technical Mapping > Analytics, choose the Add icon.
Use the value help to select the InfoProvider, Query, and InfoObject information. You can also enter the referenced query name as a comment to describe the mapping.
Maintain Additional Attributes – Configure Value Range
In the Manage Sensitive Attributes application, you can create and update value ranges to provide context for protecting a sensitive attribute.
A Value Range is a static collection of values that can be used as the context within which a sensitive attribute is to be protected.
To create a new value range for,Sensitive Business Partners
- Navigate to “Additional Attributes” tab
- Click on “Value Ranges” option
- Click on “Add” icon
- Select “Create New“
- Select Range Type as “List of Values“
- Enter the name of the value range beginning with VR_ for a list of values as “VR_BP_ID“
- Description as “Sensitive Business Partner List”
- Click on “Create” button.
- Value Range with specified details will be created.
- Click on VR_BP_ID link to add values in this Value Range. You will be navigated to Manage Derived Attributes/Value Ranges app
- Click on Include Value option under Maintain List of Values tab
- Click on “Add” icon under Include Value section
- Enter “Value” as “0200000003”
- Enter “Comment” as “Vittal Kesari”
- Click on “Create” button
Enter following entries in “VR_BP_ID” Value Range
Data Blocking Configuration
In the Manage Sensitive Attributes application, you can configure blocking for a sensitive attribute to define in detail how it is to be protected in the system.
Blocking configuration defines which sensitive records are to be blocked from view for unauthorized users, even when these records would normally appear in a table view.
To configure blocking for LA_EA_BP_NAME sensitive attribute, under , choose Edit.
- Enable Data Blocking.
- Click on “Add” icon next to “Policy” edit box
- Enter Policy Name as “POL_BLOCK_ENAQRY“.
- Enter Description as “Block Sensitive Records in Embedded Analytics Query“.
- Click on “Create” button.
- Policy will get created.
- Click on “Save” button.
- Click on “Block Sensitive Records in Embedded Analytics Query (POL_BLOCK_ENAQRY)” link. You will be navigated to “Manage ABAC Policies” app
- Choose “Edit” under “Rule” section of Policy
- ABAC Policy Cockpit will be opened
Write following logic into Policy
Data Blocking/Suppression in Analytical Query
- Click on Query Browser app
- Enter “C_AT_STRPTAXITEMQUERY” in Search field and click on “Search” button
- Select the checkbox and click on “Open for Analysis” button
- Enter highlighted search criteria in the corresponding fields and click on “OK” button
- Proper message “Certain records are blocked via UI Data Protection” will be displayed. Click on "OK" button
- Sensitive Business Partner records will not appear in the query result
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have learnt how Data Block/Suppression is achieved in Analytical Queries in SAP Query Browser app through Manage Sensitive Attributes app provided by UI Data Protection Masking for SAP S/4HANA 2011 solution to block access of certain sensitive Business Partner records.
