Configure NTFS security permissions to allow modification of subfolders/files but not parents

Understanding NTFS Security Permissions

Before we dive into configuring NTFS security permissions, let’s first understand what they are. NTFS (New Technology File System) is a file system used by Windows operating systems to organize and store files. NTFS security permissions determine who can access files and folders, and what actions they can perform on them.

There are two main types of NTFS security permissions: explicit and inherited. Explicit permissions are assigned directly to a file or folder, while inherited permissions are passed down from a parent folder to its child folders and files.

NTFS security permissions consist of several access control entries (ACEs), each containing a security identifier (SID) and a set of permissions. SIDs are unique identifiers assigned to user accounts, groups, and computers in an Active Directory environment.

Configuring NTFS Security Permissions

Now that we have a basic understanding of NTFS security permissions, let’s configure them to meet the requirements outlined in the question.

To allow users to view the contents of CustomerName and SiteName directories, but not modify them, we need to assign the Read permission to those directories. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the CustomerName directory and select Properties.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Edit.
4. Click Add.
5. Type in the name of the user or group you want to assign permissions to and click OK.
6. Select the user or group from the list and click OK.
7. In the Permissions for section, select the Read permission and click OK.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for the SiteName directory.

Now that we’ve assigned the Read permission to the CustomerName and SiteName directories, let’s move on to configuring permissions for the AssetName directory.

To allow users to view the name of the AssetName directory, we need to assign the List Folder Contents permission to it. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the AssetName directory and select Properties.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Edit.
4. Click Add.
5. Type in the name of the user or group you want to assign permissions to and click OK.
6. Select the user or group from the list and click OK.
7. In the Permissions for section, select the List Folder Contents permission and click OK.

Now that we’ve allowed users to view the name of the AssetName directory, let’s move on to configuring permissions for its contents.

To allow users to create, edit, and delete files and subfolders within the AssetName directory, as well as any nested files and subfolders further down, we need to assign the Modify permission to it. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the AssetName directory and select Properties.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Edit.
4. Click Add.
5. Type in the name of the user or group you want to assign permissions to and click OK.
6. Select the user or group from the list and click OK.
7. In the Permissions for section, select the Modify permission and click OK.

Testing NTFS Security Permissions

Now that we’ve configured NTFS security permissions, let’s test them to ensure they’re working as expected.

1. Log in as a user who has been assigned the Read permission to the CustomerName and SiteName directories, but not the Modify permission to the AssetName directory.
2. Navigate to the CustomerName directory and ensure you can view its contents, but not modify them.
3. Navigate to the SiteName directory and ensure you can view its contents, but not modify them.
4. Navigate to the AssetName directory and ensure you can view its name, but not modify it.
5. Create a new file or subfolder within the AssetName directory and ensure you can create, edit, and delete it.
6. Navigate to a nested file or subfolder within the AssetName directory and ensure you can create, edit, and delete files and subfolders within it.

If all of these steps work as expected, then you’ve successfully configured NTFS security permissions to meet the requirements outlined in the question.

Best Practices for NTFS Security Permissions

While NTFS security permissions can be a powerful tool for securing files and folders, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure they’re used effectively. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

1. Use groups to assign permissions instead of individual users. This makes it easier to manage permissions and ensure consistency across multiple users.
2. Use the principle of least privilege. Only assign the minimum permissions necessary for users to perform their job functions.
3. Regularly review and audit NTFS security permissions to ensure they’re still necessary and appropriate.
4. Use inherited permissions whenever possible to simplify management and ensure consistency.
5. Avoid assigning permissions directly to the root of a drive or folder, as this can lead to unintended consequences and security risks.

Conclusion

NTFS security permissions are a powerful tool for securing files and folders in Windows operating systems. By understanding how they work and following best practices, you can ensure that your files and folders are secure and only accessible to those who need them. If you follow the steps outlined in this post, you should be able to configure NTFS security permissions to meet the requirements outlined in the question.

Yes, it is possible to configure NTFS security permissions to allow modification of subfolders and files but not the parent folder in the directory structure you described.

Here is one way to achieve this:

1. Open the Properties dialog for the CustomerName folder.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click the Edit button to edit the permissions.
4. In the Permissions dialog, add the users or groups that you want to have view-only access to the CustomerName folder and its contents.
5. For each user or group, set the following permissions:
   • Read & Execute: Allow
   • List Folder Contents: Allow
   • Read: Allow
   • Write: Deny
6. Click the Advanced button.
7. In the Advanced Security Settings dialog, click the Disable Inheritance button.
8. Select the option to “Convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions on this object”. This will remove the inherited permissions from the CustomerName folder and its subfolders, leaving only the permissions that you explicitly set.
9. Click the Apply button and then click the OK button to close the Advanced Security Settings dialog.
10. Repeat the above steps for the SiteName folder, setting the same permissions for the users or groups that you want to have view-only access.
11. For the AssetName folder, set the same permissions as above, but also allow the users or groups that need to be able to create, edit, and delete files and subfolders within the AssetName folder to have the Write permission.

This should allow the users or groups to have view-only access to the CustomerName and SiteName folders, and view-only access to the AssetName folder name. They will also be able to create, edit, and delete files and subfolders within the AssetName folder, and create, edit, and delete any files and subfolders nested further down.

Here are a few final thoughts on configuring NTFS security permissions:

• Make sure to test the permissions that you set to ensure that they are working as intended. You can do this by logging in as one of the users or groups that you set permissions for and attempting to perform various actions on the folders and files.
• Be careful when modifying NTFS security permissions, as incorrect settings can prevent users from accessing necessary resources or cause other issues. It is a good idea to make a backup of the permissions before making any changes, in case you need to restore them later.
• If you are setting permissions for a large number of users or groups, it may be more efficient to use group policies to set the permissions rather than setting them individually for each user or group.
• You can use the Security tab in the Properties dialog of a folder or file to view and modify the NTFS security permissions. You can also use the icacls command-line tool to view and modify permissions from the command prompt.

I hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any additional questions.

For the user or group related to CustomerName, configure security settings to allow only “Read & execute + List folder contents + Read” permissions.

For AssetName, access the security settings and select “Advanced” and then “Change Permissions.”

Add the same user or group and grant them permissions to create files/write data, create folders/append data, write attributes, write extended attributes, and delete subfolders and files.

Make sure to check “Replace all child object permissions” option.