22
Fri, Nov
1 New Articles

The Case for Using Authorization Lists to Secure IBM i Objects

IBM i (OS/400, i5/OS)
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Carol explores the pros and cons of using authorization lists to secure IBM i objects.

Authorization lists (Autls) are a tool provided by the operating system that allows you to simplify the management of authorities on IBM i objects. But many organizations aren’t leveraging them. By fully explaining both the benefits and pain points of authorization lists, I’m hoping to convince more organizations to take advantage of them.

To best explain what an authorization list is, let me present a scenario. I have a finance application, and at the end of the month a file is created by the manager to summarize transactions. Several batch jobs run that update the file. Once all of the end-of-month jobs have run, a handful of people from the finance department need to download the results into spreadsheets. No one else should have access to this file.

I don’t need to have an authorization list to solve this authorization puzzle. I can grant these authorities to the following profiles and life is good:

            BATCHJOB1     *CHANGE

            BATCHJOB2     *CHANGE

            FINANCE1        *USE

            FINANCE2        *USE

            FINANCE3        *USE

            FINANCE4        *USE

            FINANCE5        *USE

            *PUBLIC           *EXCLUDE

But why should the manager have to remember all of the authorities that need to be granted each month? Enter authorization lists. In this scenario, I would create an authorization list:

CRTAUTL AUTL(FINANCE) AUT(*EXCLUDE) TEXT('Finance authorization list')

Then, using the EDTAUTL command, I’d grant the same authorities listed above to the FINANCE authorization list. See Figure 1.

The Case for Using Authorization Lists to Secure IBM i Objects - Figure 1 

Figure 1: Use EDTAUTL to authorize profiles to the FINANCE autl.

Each month, when the manager creates the new file, all that needs to happen is that she attaches the authorization list to the file:

GRTOBJAUT OBJ(*LIBL/FINOCTEOM) OBJTYPE(*FILE) AUTL(FINANCE)

Then she points the *PUBLIC authority of the file to the authorization list (unfortunately, you can’t do this at the same time you attach the list):

GRTOBJAUT OBJ(*LIBL/FINOCTEOM) OBJTYPE(*FILE) USER(*PUBLIC) AUT(*AUTL)

Later, if you determine there are other files that have these same authority requirements, you repeat the same process: Associate the file (or other object) with the authorization list, and set the *PUBLIC authority to come from the autl. You can also secure IFS objects with an authorization list. Here are those commands:

CHGAUT OBJ('/finance') AUTL(FINANCE)

CHGAUT OBJ('/finance') USER(*PUBLIC) DTAAUT(*AUTL) OBJAUT(*NONE)

Regardless of where the object is located, the result is that whatever authority the profile has to the FINANCE autl is the authority to the objects attached to the authorization list.

This scenario greatly simplifies the management of the authorities to these files, but I can simplify it even further by using a group profile. If I create a group profile called FINDWNLOAD and make the FINANCE1, 2, 3, 4, 5 profiles a member of that group, I can replace those users’ authority to the autl as shown in Figure 2.

The Case for Using Authorization Lists to Secure IBM i Objects - Figure 2 

Figure 2: Profile’s authority has been replaced with authority to their group.

This step simplifies the maintenance even further because the manager no longer has to remember to modify the authority to the authorization list when FINANCE1 leaves the department and is replaced by FINANCE53. Just place FINANCE53 in the FINDWNLOAD group and those users will have the authority they need.

Other Benefits

In addition to simplifying the management of authorities, perhaps an even bigger benefit is the fact that you can affect the authority of a *FILE object that’s in use. In the previous example, if the finance manager was still granting private authorities to individuals and a new member joined the team, she would have to wait to grant the authority to her new team member until the file wasn’t in use. The operating system prevents you from changing the authority of a file that’s open (that is, in use.) Any attempt to add a new authority or remove or modify an existing authority times out (fails). If, however, the file is secured with an authorization list, you can manage the authorities to the list even when the file is open. This means you don’t have to end an application to be able to manage authorities as long as its *FILEs are secured with an authorization list.

Another benefit of using authorization lists is that they reduce the number of private authorities on the system. In the original scenario, the system was storing at least seven private authorities for each file secured. (It’s likely more, especially if the file is a multi-member file. Then the private authorities are multiplied by the number of members.) Why do you care whether there are a lot of private authorities on the system? You care when you perform a Save Security Data (SAVSECDTA) and you especially care when performing a Restore Authority (RSTAUT). See this article for more details.

The Downsides

One downside of using authorization lists is that an object can be secured by only one authorization list. While I have run into the situation where I wanted to attach two authorization lists to the same file, it’s not a situation that craters a project. In this case, you typically have to create a third authorization list, authorize the profiles from both original lists, and switch the file to be secured by the third list. The downside is that you now must administer three authorization lists rather than just two. But even with this additional list, it’s still better than administering authorities to individual objects.

Another downside is that you can still grant private authorities to the object in addition to securing it with an authorization list. I try very hard to have authorities come from either the authorization list or from the object itself but not both. I like to look at one place for the authorities, either the object or an autl. (That’s one reason I like to point the object’s *PUBLIC authority to the authorization list; it allows me to look at the autl and know all of the authorities in effect.) When authorities come from both places, I really have to stop and think which authorities are in effect, especially when the same profile has been granted a private authority as well as having authority to the autl and the authorities are different. Or a profile has authority to the authorization list, and the profile’s group has a private authority to the object. To determine which authority is in effect takes knowledge of the IBM i authority-checking algorithm. Call me lazy, but I don’t want to think that hard!

Working with Authorization Lists

I’ve shown you a few of the CL commands associated with authorization lists, but you may prefer to use the IBM Services in QSYS2 to work with authorization lists. Two views allow you to get information about authorization lists:

QSYS2.Authorization_list_user_info provides what the name suggests: the list of profiles authorized to an authorization list. Run your SQL SELECT statement with no WHERE clause and you’ll have a list of all autls along with all the profiles authorized to them.

QSYS2.Authorization_list provides the list of objects secured by this list. This is one of my favorite SQL views because of the speed at which the information is returned as compared to the corresponding CL command. If you have ever run the Display Authorization List Objects (DSPAUTLOBJ) command for an authorization list that secures lots (as in thousands) of objects, you’ll know that the results can take a significant length of time to be displayed. Using this view returns the list of objects for a specific authorization list very quickly, especially compared to DSPAUTLOBJ. See Figure 3 for an example of the output.

The Case for Using Authorization Lists to Secure IBM i Objects - Figure 3 

Figure 3: Results using QSYS2.Authorization_List_Info SQL Service

Another benefit of using this view is that it includes any IFS objects that are secured by the autl, unlike the output from DSPAUTLOBJ.

Summary

I find authorization lists to be an under-used feature of IBM i security. I hope that this article will help you find ways to make use of this feature, allowing you to start saving time administering your IBM i security authorities.

 

Carol Woodbury

 

Carol Woodbury is IBM i Security SME and Senior Advisor to Kisco Systems, a firm focused on providing IBM i security solutions. Carol has over 30 years’ experience with IBM i security, starting her career as Security Team Leader and Chief Engineering Manager for iSeries Security at IBM in Rochester, MN. Since leaving IBM, she has co-founded two companies: SkyView Partners and DXR Security. Her practical experience and her intimate knowledge of the system combine for a unique viewpoint and experience level that cannot be matched.

Carol is known worldwide as an author and award-winning speaker on security technology, specializing in IBM i security topics. She has written seven books on IBM i security, including her two current books, IBM i Security Administration and Compliance, 3rd Edition and Mastering IBM i Security, A Modern, Step-by-Step Approach. Carol has been named an IBM Champion since 2018 and holds her CISSP and CRISC security certifications.


MC Press books written by Carol Woodbury available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

IBM i Security Administration and Compliance: Third Edition
Don't miss the newest edition by the industry’s #1 IBM i security expert.
List Price $71.95

Now On Sale

Mastering IBM i Security Mastering IBM i Security
Get the must-have guide by the industry’s #1 security authority.
List Price $49.95

Now On Sale

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: