Question : Securing  and deploying a VB.net application

Hello,

I've been working on a vb.net/sql server n-tier application, that I need to start deploying.  I have several questions.
1. The front-end vb.net application will be loaded on the user's machines,  the application will then connect to the sql server when necessaryi.  (disconnected arhitecture) , Both the presentation and business layers will be located on the client machines.  Perhaps later, the business layer will go on seperate server.  

2.  Some users will be external to the organization.  Consequently, the sql server will be opertating in mixed windows and sql server authentication.

3.  I need to encrypt the connection credentials such as password and logon id from the application to the server.  

3. I'm not sure if the data also has to be encrypted also.

Basically,  I am trying to determine what my options are given the above parameters.

Answer : Securing  and deploying a VB.net application

They will also require the CREATE ANY INDEX privilege.

I assume they already have the CREATE ANY TABLE privilege to allow them to create tables in a schema other than their own.