The Mainframe Technical Environment for Auditors

Objectives
On successful completion of this course, attendees will be able to:

• describe the concepts and principles of IBM-mainframe-based computing
• use the terminology found in a mainframe-oriented Data Centre
• assess the management of security policies at their organisation
• identify strengths and weaknesses in those policies
• perform high-level audits of RACF-based IBM mainframe systems.

Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for Auditors whose work brings them into contact with IBM mainframe systems.
Prerequisites
Exposure to the technical computing environment at their organisation.
Duration
5 days
Course Code
MTEA
Contents
Stage 1 - Introduction to Mainframe Enterprise Co
Introduction; What is a mainframe? What can it do? How does it do it? Some interesting history; Useful definitions; Types of computing; Enterprise computing hardware; Disk storage; Magnetic tape; Input/output peripherals; Data handling and software; Networks; Practical operations.


Stage 2 - z/OS
Introduction; z/OS and how it works; The z/OS Operating System - MVS; Main components of MVS; MVS processing environments; z/OS Communications Server; JES; DFSMS; Transaction Server; Databases.


Stage 3 - The TSO Environment
Introduction to TSO; Interpretative languages; ISPF/PDF (Interactive System Productivity Facility/Program Development Facility).


Stage 4 - Understanding the Batch Environment
Introduction; Understanding and writing the Job Control Language (JCL); System Display and Search Facility (SDSF); Exits that affect jobs and output.


Stage 5 - z/OS Security Overview
System Authorization Facility (SAF) security principals; z/OS controls & drivers; Security products; RACF overview.


Stage 6 - z/OS RACF Components
RACF control options; SETROPTS; Resource permission; Searching the RACF database.


Stage 7 - RACF Utilities
RACF; The FACILITY class; RACF utilities; Using Data Security Monitor (DSMON); RACF tables; RACF exits; Administration and auditing tools.


Stage 8 - CA-ACF/2 & CA-Top Secret - Security Over
Overview of CA-ACF/2; CA-ACF/2 and RACF differences; Overview of TSS; CA-Top Secret & RACF differences.


Stage 9 - Applications Development Overview
Introduction; Overview; Typical life-cycles; Products.


Stage 11 - DB2 Overview



Stage 10 - CICS & IMS Overview



Stage 12 - UNIX System Services