Multi User environment where some users require 'read only' and some require 'read/write'

I have a database that’s used by several people within my organization. Some folks need to access the database in ‘read only’ mode and others need to access the database in ‘read/write’ mode. What's the easiest/simplest way to accomplish this?

If I set the appropriate permissions at the folder level (i.e., Read/Write for some and Read Only for others), will the database inherit those permissions?

Thanks,

Manuel