If you are using Apache server on Unix, then the type of security you seem to want is easy.
Apache's built-in basic authentication can use the following three files:
- .htaccess (for defining what groups are allowed to use a directory);
- .htgroup (for defining who is in a group); and
- .htpasswd (for storing the names and encrypted passwords of users.)
For instance, let's say that you created a directory called SA and you only wanted users who are members of the SAgroup to have access. Then place in your SA directory an .htaccess file similar to the following:
AuthName "Security Solutions Center HelpDesk"
AuthType Basic
AuthUserFile /mypath/.htpasswd
AuthGroupFile /mypath/.htgroup
<Limit GET POST>
require group SAgroup
</LIMIT>
~
Your .htgroup file might look something like this:
SAgroup: NM1121 Ella Mojo
There are several ways to create your .htpasswd file of Apache users and their encrypted passwords. I like
the htpasswd module on CPAN.