System of assigning permissions to a user by password

摘要

A data processing system includes a data storage unit for storing data sets accessible to a user upon receipt of permission. The data processing system restricts access to data sets by requiring a username and then requiring a password to obtain permission for access to a data set stored in a data storage unit. The system is adapted to support use of more than one said password associated with a username; and each of those passwords associated with that username permits a distinct level of access to a particular data set, whereas other passwords can provide different levels of access to any data set assigned thereto.