Mainframes have long been held in high regard for their data security. But as technology progresses, some are wondering how long mainframes will be able to remain a beacon for data safety and security.
According to Doug Balog1, general manager for System z at IBM, it’s the processes used to run the product, not the choice of product that is of utmost importance.
Balog said that while the System z has a long history of reliability when it comes to security, there is no guarantee of it being 'unhackable' because security also depends on how the business or organization secures its system. He said that organizations need to look at their processes when setting up security features.
System z’s reputation for security is based on the integration of its security components such as deep encryption in the chip and cryptographic features in every processor.
Balog said that layering software products on top of more software products creates ‘points of interception’, which is where the process design can be improved to boost security. System z’s security features allow users to build processes around access controls. He said that these processes need to be natural and simplified.
[1] https://www.share.org/p/bl/et/blogaid=244