Regardless of what hardware platform you’re running your business on or what software package you’re using, security should be your No. 1 priority. If it’s not, there may come a time when you’ll wish that it had been. It’s kind of like insurance. Until you need it, it’s a real pain to have to pay for it. And until someone crashes your system because he hacked his way through the holes you left on your server, worrying about security is something most of us would rather leave to someone else.
At Midrange Computing, we think security should be on the mind of every person in an IT shop. This issue of MC is focused on bringing you a wealth of security information for every level of experience. Information that you and your staff can begin using immediately to lock down your AS/400 and related systems, so that, when some unauthorized hacker comes calling, he’ll find nothing but a locked door.
There are many steps you can take to lock down your AS/400’s security, but a logical approach would work best, starting at the most basic level and working forward. In “Take Security to the Next Level,” John Earl, who writes the “Security Patrol” feature every month (see page 123), takes you on a step-by-step journey to upgrading your AS/400 from security level 30 to security level 40. John not only provides you with sound business reasons for making this upgrade but also warns you about some of the pitfalls you may face along the way. Running at the highest possible security level your shop can handle will go a long way toward making your AS/400 and your data secure.
After you’ve upgraded your AS/400 to level 40, what else can you do to secure your system and data? How about preventing unauthorized access to your data files? In “Object Level Security and Your Applications,” Christopher J. Devous gives you a unique take on something most of us consider mundane: database access. Chris’s article shows you why you shouldn’t take database security for granted. He explores the various methods of database access to a record, some of which you may have never even considered. Chris also provides suggestions on how to plug holes before your data can leak out.
OK...your system’s running at security level 40, your databases are secured, and you’re feeling pretty good about things, right? What about all those folks who are accessing your AS/400 from PCs via Client Access or the World Wide Web? Have you plugged those holes yet? In “Understanding Exit Programs,” Paul Culin provides the background and information and even some examples on exit programs so that you can understand what holes may exist on your system. Everything from TCP/IP services, such as FTP and Telnet, to access to your Web serving AS/400 through the HTTP server
exposes your business to risk. One thing you can do to minimize that risk is to use exit programs to close the gaps. Paul takes the mystery out of using exit programs and gives you some immediately useful information.
There’s another area you should be concerned with for your TCP/IP-connected AS/400 or PC Server, and that is unauthorized access to your system through holes you probably didn’t even know existed. In “Scan Your Way To Port Security,” Which can be found at www.midrangecomputing.com/mc. Vince LeVeque explains how a hacker can get into your system using TCP/IP services that you probably didn’t know were running. Vince details the various means a hacker might use to breach your system and provides you with a tool you can use to scan your own system for open ports.
Security has never been more important than it is today. Plan for potential security violations now so that you won’t have to deal with security breaches later on.
More 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.
TRY 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.
Forms 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.
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:
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.
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:
LATEST COMMENTS
MC Press Online