29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

Partner TechTip: Enhance Security Through Monitoring and Notification

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

Security applications and monitoring/notification applications often come from different vendors, and as a result it is easy to view them as distinct and separate. However, the two go hand in hand, and monitoring/notification products play a significant role in security. While security largely centers around keeping would-be thieves or destructive viruses away from sensitive information, keeping a vigilant eye on activity and knowing immediately when something happens is essential to success. In this TechTip, we'll look at how to combine traditional security solutions with automated monitoring/notification and real-time user monitoring.

Start with the Basics

Establishing a solid security framework is key to making monitoring effective. Let's start by reviewing the essential elements of an iSeries security plan.

Perimeter security via firewalls and exit point security are obvious first steps. But in addition, internal network security that allows you to control information flow and access down to the object level is critical. It allows you to establish solid policies that do not unnecessarily disrupt workflow and to maintain proper records to assist in security audits—a key element of regulatory compliance. Chances are you already have such a system in place or are considering implementation.

The next component that is essential in today's iSeries environment is virus protection. Because the iSeries can serve as a quiet, symptom-free host for viruses and malicious code, it is very important to protect it with native anti-virus software, just as would be done for servers running other operating systems.

An additional component that can make your security more effective is a solution that allows you to monitor users in real time. This tool provides you with the ability to investigate and collect evidence that can be used as a follow-up to suspicious activity by insiders.

Keeping in the Loop

Now that we've covered the basic security components, let's look at how automated monitoring and notification can make your security efforts stronger by keeping you in the loop.

The most obvious benefit is to be notified when a blatant breach has occurred. Because you cannot be in the computer room or onsite at all times—and because hack attempts may occur in the middle of the night—an automated monitoring solution can act as your eyes and ears. If an access attempt is made that violates your security policy, a monitoring solution can notify you immediately by pager, BlackBerry, cell phone, email, or a variety of other methods. You can act upon this notification immediately to reduce the likelihood of a successful break-in or loss of assets.

Of course, with nearly two-thirds of security breaches and data theft originating from inside the firewall, not all cases are going to be as clear-cut as the one above. You may have a trusted insider who has legitimate access to information yet, unbeknownst to you, poses a serious security threat. This is where the versatility of automated monitoring software comes into play.

Suppose you need to keep an eye out for activity occurring at unusual times of day or unusually large amounts of data being transferred from specific directories. You create specific monitors to log such activity and notify you when it occurs. While this alone won't prevent the theft of data, it can allow you to react to events in progress and investigate patterns of suspicious activity.

Under the Microscope

So you've identified a pattern that leads you to believe that inside security violations may be occurring. This calls for further enhancement of your security with a tool that gives you the ability to see everything happening on another user's screen in real time. A product like Bytware's PeekPlus—often viewed as a training tool—can achieve this. Because you can monitor this activity without the user's knowledge, it is a much more elegant solution than busting into the room in an attempt to catch someone red-handed, and it allows you to piece together a trail of evidence that can be used to recover lost information and hold the insider accountable.

Bringing It All Together

So, as you can see, there are obvious security tools and not-so-obvious ones at your disposal. The well-rounded security policy will make use of not only network security and firewalls, but also anti-virus, automated monitoring and notification, and real-time user monitoring to create an unobtrusive yet highly effective safety net for IT operations.

Check out Bytware's other offerings in the MC Showcase Buyer's Guide.

Mike Grant is CEO and head of development for Bytware, Inc.

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: