Method and system for securing confidential data in a computer network

A system for securing confidential data in a computer network, wherein said computer network includes a management information database that assists in the management of said computer network, said system comprising:

• means for identifying confidential data within said management information database;
• means for associating particular data objects with said identified confidential data;
• means for accessing said identified confidential data from said management information database;
• and
• means for automatically converting each particular data object and its associated confidential data into a secure data object, in response to an accessing of said confidential data from said management information database, such that said confidential data may only be understood or altered external to said management information database by converting said secure data object back into said particular data objects and said associated confidential data.

A program product residing in a computer memory in a computer for securing confidential data in a computer network, wherein said computer network includes a management information database that assists in the management of said computer network, said program product comprising:

• instruction means residing in a computer for identifying confidential data within said management information database;
• instruction means residing in a computer for associating particular data objects with said identified confidential data;
• instruction means residing in a computer for accessing said identified confidential data from said management information database;
• and
• instruction means residing in a computer for automatically converting each particular data object and its associated confidential data into a secure data object, in response to an accessing of said confidential data from said management information database, such that said confidential data may only be understood or altered external to said management information database by converting said secure data object back into said particular data objects and said associated confidential data.