For those database system from big vendors like Sybase, you can set the security privilege for tables, records, columns. You can set any of them as readonly, not-accessable, etc.

You may also set privilege for stored procedures.

With the combination of all these security methods, you may define a security mechanism to protect your data and system. If you haven't touch this topic before, I suggest you to study the manual of the database product.

Hope it's helpful.