Server functions are secured using FIDs. During application development, when a method is made publicly accessible; a unique security identifier is automatically generated for that function. In the deployed application, the methods contained in the model are generated as server functions. If security for a process method is switched off at design time in the model, a function identifier is still generated but will not be available to be used. Once functions are generated, FIDs can be created and added to the security hierarchy by a systems administrator by searching for a function and associating it with a FID. Only functions which are not already associated with a FID will be available for selection. Any changes made to a FID will only take effect when the changes are published.