Query-driven Inference Control in Data Cubes

Abstract

Chapter 7 describes a novel way of controlling inferences in data cubes. That is, we prevent, instead of detecting, complex inferences through restrictions on queries, and then we remove the remaining simpler inferences. This approach reduces the on-line complexity of inference control to a practical level. It also eliminates the needs for impractical assumptions by supporting a customizable criteria of sensitive information. However, the method is static, in the sense that the restrictions on queries are computed once and for all. Such a static approach may lead to unnecessary denials of queries and hence reduce the usefulness of an OLAP system, because optimal restrictions usually depend on actual incoming queries and the queries a user will eventually ask cannot always be predicted.