21
Sat, Dec
3 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Security
  4. Security - Other
  5. Partner TechTip: Changing QCRTAUT in i5/OS

Partner TechTip: Changing QCRTAUT in i5/OS

Security - Other
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

In the ongoing process of securing your system, you may choose to address the default setting of the QCRTAUT system value.

 

Before I get into the considerations you need to make before changing this value, let's discuss the purpose of the QCRTAUT system value.

What Is QCRTAUT?

QCRTAUT (Create authority) provides the *PUBLIC authority setting when most i5/OS objects are created. The next time you create a new file or data area, prompt (Press F4 on) the command and look for the Authority (AUT) parameter. For most Create commands, the AUT parameter defaults to the value *LIBCRTAUT. What is *LIBCRTAUT? The library that the object is being created into has an attribute called Create Authority. *LIBCRTAUT means to set the *PUBLIC authority of the object being created to the value of the library's Create authority attribute. What is the library's Create authority attribute? The default is *SYSVAL, which means that it uses the value of the QCRTAUT system value. So when an object is created, its *PUBLIC authority defaults to *LIBCRTAUT, which says to look at the library's Create authority, which defaults to look at the QCRTAUT system value. Because the value of QCRTAUT is shipped by IBM as *CHANGE, most objects on the system are created with *PUBLIC authority *CHANGE.

Considerations Before Changing QCRTAUT

Now let's look at the considerations to make before changing QCRTAUT. First, it should go without saying that QCRTAUT should never be changed to *ALL. However, it is appropriate to consider changing it to *USE or *EXCLUDE. When I guide clients through the process of changing QCRTAUT, we start by getting a list of the libraries on the system and downloading it to a spreadsheet. You can use SkyView Policy Minder to do this by creating a *LIBAUT template that includes all libraries. (Don't bother creating an object template.) Run a compliance check on this template, and then run the Output Compliance (OUTCPL) command from the SKYVIEWPMP library, specifying STATUS(*ALL). This will create a file in the /SkyView/Policy Minder directory that you can drag onto your desktop and open with Excel.

 

Once you have the spreadsheet, separate the libraries into four categories: IBM/IBM licensed product libraries, vendor product libraries, application libraries, and user/developer libraries. Then, determine whether the libraries' Create authority attribute should either remain at *SYSVAL or be overridden with a specific value.

 

You can typically leave the IBM libraries with their current settings. (You will see some with their Create authority attribute set to *SYSVAL and some overridden with a specific value such as *CHANGE.)

 

For the vendor libraries, we consider whether objects (programs, commands, files, etc.) are being created into the libraries or are just being utilized. If it's the latter, we leave those library settings alone as well. If objects are being created into the libraries, you have to consider whether the vendor product will continue to work correctly if the *PUBLIC authority of the newly created objects is set to *USE or *EXCLUDE. If it won't run correctly, you can consider changing those libraries' Create authority value to *CHANGE.

 

For the application libraries, you must consider whether the application's security scheme will support newly created objects with a *PUBLIC authority of *USE or *EXCLUDE. If it won't, you'll be forced into leaving those objects created with *PUBLIC *CHANGE. To continue to have the objects created with *PUBLIC *CHANGE, set the Create authority attribute of those libraries to *CHANGE.

 

Personal or user libraries can typically be left at *SYSVAL because it is usually the individual user accessing the objects in his or her library, and the *PUBLIC authority setting won't matter.

 

A little-known fact is that you can specify an authorization list for a library's Create authority value. I have used this feature when reworking an application's security scheme and securing the application's files with an authorization list. It works especially well when the application files are in a library that's separate from the application programs. I specify the authorization list name for the library's Create authority value, and from then on, all objects created into the library will be secured with that authorization list.

How Policy Minder Helps

When creating a Library authority (*LIBAUT) template, you can specify the appropriate value for the library's Create authority attribute. Then you can run regular compliance checks to ensure that this library attribute remains set correctly. In addition, you can run compliance checks on the System value (*SYSVAL) category to ensure that the QCRTAUT system value remains set to the appropriate value.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: