Toll Free 1-844-388-IRON (4766)
facebook
linkedin
email
  • Home
  • About Us
  • IT Executive Search
    • Partnering with the Right Search Firm
    • The New Iron Search Process
    • Why New Iron Executive Search?
  • IT Staffing
    • Cloud Staffing Solutions
    • ERP Staffing Solutions
    • Infrastructure Staffing Solutions
    • Mainframe Staffing Solutions
    • Storage Staffing Solutions
  • The New Iron Blog
  • Contact Us

The Security Advantages of Mainframes

by
Blog
0 Comment

Mainframe SecurityThe majority of data processing tasks required by large corporations, universities, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, and other organizations are performed on mainframe computers. In part, this is because of the tremendous power and stability that mainframe computers provide. However, mainframes are not just extremely efficient at handling massive amounts of data – they are also highly secure. And, in a time when cyber-attacks are on the dramatic rise all around the world, that kind of security is a key advantage.

Described below are some of the most notable security advantages of today’s mainframe computers:

  • Hardware + software on one computer: The key to security is control. Preserving data security comes down to the ability to restrict and monitor access points. In a cloud environment, there is an abundance of network traffic that can be easily intercepted by nefarious users. However, with a mainframe, all the hardware and software necessary to complete processing tasks and transactions reside on a single machine. This supports much greater security than a distributed environment.
  • Front end processors act as gatekeepers: A front end processor (FEP) or communications controller deals with input and output communications with the outside world. This reduces the load on the rest of the mainframe system. But the FEP also acts as a “bouncer,” ensuring security threats are isolated from your big Iron.
  • Security by design: Today’s mainframes are built from the ground up with security in mind – from their operating systems to their cryptographic hardware acceleration. After all, these machines are responsible for handling immense volumes of valuable data. But the truth is that mainframes and their associated programming languages were designed with “thick walls” from the start, and now support even the toughest security protocols.
  • Pervasive encryption: During the summer of 2017, IBM unveiled its z14 mainframe server which includes, among other features, pervasive encryption. Pervasive encryption supports 100% disk and tape encryption. Further, it is designed to complement the mainframe’s existing encryption mechanism.

 

Distributed environments have multiple entry points that are exposed to network traffic. Thus, they are vulnerable in numerous ways. Mainframes, on the other hand, provide tighter security when it comes to protecting sensitive data. In fact, it’s rare for mainframes to be hacked given their impressive security measures. With the introduction of new and aggressive security approaches such as pervasive encryption, mainframe security is here to stay.

If you have a temporary or permanent IT Mainframe Support need, a question about our Mainframe Support services and would like to learn more contact us today.

Social Share
More from The Mainframe Blog
  • It’s Makeover Time for the Mainframe
  • Mainframes: An Old Friend in a New Era
  • Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Migrating from the Mainframe
  • The High Cost of a Mainframe Going Down
  • Mainframes and Digital Transformation
  • The Growing Use of Mainframes Presents New Challenges
  • Mainframe Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not
  • How Mainframe Technology Supports Modern Business Demands
  • Disaster Recovery on the Mainframe
  • How Legacy Systems Help Meet the Computing Challenges of Today
  • The Security Advantages of Mainframes
  • Mainframe Staffing Shortages
  • Why are Mainframe Computers Still Relevant?
  • Meltdown and Spectre on System Z
  • Aren’t Mainframes Going the Way of the Dinosaurs?
  • Your Mainframe Workforce is Aging
  • The Mainframe Computer Storage Bubble
  • Security and the Mainframe
  • Client Participation Equals Success
  • Benefits of Having Access to Senior Skill Level Mainframe Skill Sets
  • Documenting the Mainframe
  • CICS Upgrade
  • Mainframe and Device Support

How Can We Help?

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • IT Executive Search
  • IT Staffing
  • The New Iron Blog

Contact Us Today!

The NEW IRON Mainframe Blog

  • It’s Makeover Time for the Mainframe
  • Mainframes: An Old Friend in a New Era
  • Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Migrating from the Mainframe
  • The High Cost of a Mainframe Going Down
  • Mainframes and Digital Transformation
© 2020 New Iron Solutions, Inc.
Call us Toll Free: 1-844-388-IRON (4766) • O: 847-854-9120 • F: 847-854-9212
Algonquin, Illinois 60102 USA