Password Protecting Folders – Linux

Heya guys, in a bit of a pickle here…need some help once again.

I am creating a structured path directory for each employee, (24) in this case….We have our Upper-Mgrs. Equipped with Pen Drives, but the other employees do not have a way to back up valuable e-mails, files, etc…

I am working on a project, and I have most of it done. We use a LINUX / SAMBA server that hosts our “Shared Files”…which consists of all kinds of information surrounding our company…specifically our terminal.

I need a way to password protect the folders, so only certain people can access them. I want to avoid using a 3PP program, does anyone have a walk through, or resource information that can help me out with this?

Thanks!