This book offers a complete overview of the security functions available in SAP products and the use of those functions within a company-wide security policy. Based upon these security functions, it also discusses the basics of data protection and their global implementation with SAP systems. Against the background of the growing importance of the internet and the integration of SAP systems into this open environment, we present what we hope is an exciting topic for our readers.From the outset, the authors knew that the book would speak to a diverse audience composed of both specialists with an extensive knowledge of operating systems and databases and those with intimate familiarity with SAP applications. It also offers specialists in security and data protection without comprehensive knowledge of SAP products an opportunity to become familiar with the means to meet the demands placed upon them.