Talking about Mainframe Security with Chip Mason & Mary Ann Furno of Broadcom Mainframe Division

In this blog post, we’ll continue our conversation with subject matter experts from Broadcom in the security area, Mary-Anne Furneaux and Chip Mason, to gain valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for building adaptable modern security in the mainframe industry.

The Evolution of Mainframe Security

As the mainframe industry continues to evolve, the challenges around security have become more complex. With the increasing demand for access to mainframe data through modern interfaces and applications, organizations are facing the following challenges:

• Integration of mainframe security into the overall enterprise security strategy
• Modernization of security controls and processes to adapt to changing technology landscapes
• Addressing the security implications of hybrid IT infrastructure and the demand for seamless access to mainframe data

Adapting Mainframe Security for Modern Challenges

In our continued conversation, Mary-Anne and Chip highlighted the need for organizations to adapt their mainframe security to meet modern challenges. Here are some key takeaways from their insights:

• The mainframe is no longer a standalone platform and needs to be integrated into the overall enterprise security strategy.
• Security controls and processes for the mainframe should be modernized to align with the changing technology landscape and the demand for seamless access to mainframe data.
• Organizations need to re-evaluate their approach to mainframe security and consider it as a critical asset that requires the same level of security controls as other server platforms.

The Impact of Automation on Mainframe Security

Chip discussed the impact of automation on mainframe security, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with automating security processes. He emphasized that while automation can save time and money, security is not always black and white, especially on the mainframe. However, there are opportunities to leverage automation to manage mainframe security effectively, particularly in areas such as event monitoring and data content discovery.

Leveraging Broadcom’s Portfolio for Mainframe Security

Mary-Anne shared insights into Broadcom’s portfolio for mainframe security, emphasizing the importance of advanced authentication, trusted access management, data content discovery, compliance event management, and cleanup tools. These tools enable organizations to address the challenges of modern mainframe security by providing deeper identity access, authentication, authorization, and monitoring and control capabilities.

Future Gazing: The Next 3 to 5 Years

In the next 3 to 5 years, Mary-Anne and Chip foresee a continued path of openness and the expectation to make data more available and open to the enterprise. They emphasize the need for proactive measures and the inclusion of mainframe security in upfront discussions for any transformations. Additionally, they stress the importance of continuous learning and staying updated on new functionality and tools available to make the job easier.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the conversations with Mary-Anne and Chip have highlighted the importance of adaptable modern security in the mainframe industry. As organizations continue to navigate the challenges of modern technology landscapes, it’s crucial to prioritize the integration and modernization of mainframe security to safeguard data and ensure compliance with regulations.

Stay tuned for more insights and discussions on mainframe security and the evolving landscape of enterprise security.

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