Master Key Unlock
Overview
The Systems hub utility Master Key Unlock is needed to unencrypt a newly restored or created instance of a Jenzabar SONIS database. Restored or newly created SONIS databases are not fully operational without having first unlocking the Master Key. This is an additional level of security that prevents unauthorized individuals, who might somehow obtain a copy of the database’s backup, from running an unauthorized copy of SONIS. Anytime the SQL Server Restore task is run to restore or create a new instance of a SONIS database, Master Key Unlock must be run before anything or anyone else is run against that database.
It is strongly recommended that a new profile be created for Master Key Unlock alone. It should be the only enabled function available to this profile. The reasons for this are:
Some start and launch pages will access portions of the database that require that the Master Key be unlocked first. By creating a profile with access only to Master Key Unlock, the start page is assured to work correctly.
If Master Key Unlock is in the menu surrounded by other functions, the likelihood of it being unintentionally run is greatly increased.
It is far easier to restrict and track the assignment of this function when it’s only available on one profile.
Contact Jenzabar SONIS Support for additional assistance in creating restoring and creating new databases.