Overview
Ensuring data security on AS400 systems is crucial for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, and maintaining the integrity and reliability of business operations. AS400, also known as IBM iSeries, offers a range of security features that need to be properly configured and managed.
Key Concepts
- Object-Level Security: Controls access to specific objects within the system.
- User Authentication and Authorization: Manages user credentials and their access rights.
- Audit Logging and Monitoring: Tracks and logs user activities for security analysis.
Common Interview Questions
Basic Level
- What is object-level security in AS400?
- How do you create and manage user profiles in AS400?
Intermediate Level
- Describe how to set up and manage authorization lists in AS400.
Advanced Level
- How do you implement and manage audit logging on the AS400 system?
Detailed Answers
1. What is object-level security in AS400?
Answer: Object-level security in AS400 refers to the mechanism that controls access to various objects within the system, such as files, programs, and directories, based on the authority levels assigned to user profiles. It ensures that only authorized users can access, modify, or delete specific objects, thereby protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Key Points:
- Each object in AS400 has an associated list of authorities that define what actions a user can perform on the object.
- Authority levels range from None to All, with Change, Use, and Execute being common.
- Object-level security complements other security measures like user authentication.
Example:
// This is a conceptual example, as AS400 operations are not directly performed via C#.
// Typically, you would manage these settings through AS400 commands or control interfaces.
// Pseudo-code for setting object-level security:
SetObjectSecurity("FINANCIAL_REPORTS", "READ_ONLY", "FINANCE_TEAM");
GrantAuthority("FINANCIAL_REPORTS", "UPDATE", "FINANCE_MANAGER");
// Conceptually, these commands set read-only access for the finance team to financial reports,
// with an exception for the finance manager who has update authority.
2. How do you create and manage user profiles in AS400?
Answer: User profiles in AS400 are created to define and manage users' identities, authorities, and access levels within the system. They are essential for implementing access control and ensuring that users can only access data and functionalities relevant to their roles.
Key Points:
- User profiles include information such as user ID, password, initial program to run, and the level of authority.
- Authority levels can be assigned directly to a user profile or indirectly through group profiles or authorization lists.
- Regular review and management of user profiles are necessary to maintain security.
Example:
// This is a conceptual example, as AS400 operations are not directly performed via C#.
// Typically, user profiles are managed through AS400 system commands or interfaces.
// Pseudo-code for creating a user profile:
CreateUserProfile("JDOE", "PASSWORD123", "USER", "SALES_APP");
// Conceptually, this command creates a new user profile for 'JDOE' with a password,
// assigns 'USER' authority, and specifies 'SALES_APP' as the initial program.
3. Describe how to set up and manage authorization lists in AS400.
Answer: Authorization lists in AS400 are used to group multiple objects under a single security entity, allowing for more efficient management of access rights. They enable administrators to assign authority to many objects at once rather than individually.
Key Points:
- Authorization lists are separate from individual object security but can be linked to objects.
- A single authorization list can be associated with various objects, simplifying the management of common access rights.
- They are particularly useful for managing access to objects that require similar security settings across different users.
Example:
// This is a conceptual example, as AS400 operations are not directly performed via C#.
// Authorization lists are managed through AS400 system commands or interfaces.
// Pseudo-code for creating and assigning an authorization list:
CreateAuthorizationList("FINANCE_DOCS");
AssignObjectToAuthList("FINANCE_DOCS", "BUDGET_REPORT");
AddUserToAuthList("FINANCE_DOCS", "JDOE", "READ");
// Conceptually, these commands create an authorization list for finance documents,
// assign a budget report object to this list, and give 'JDOE' read access to it.
4. How do you implement and manage audit logging on the AS400 system?
Answer: Audit logging on AS400 involves configuring the system to record user activities and system events, providing a trail that can be analyzed for security purposes. It's crucial for detecting unauthorized access attempts, ensuring compliance, and investigating security incidents.
Key Points:
- Audit logging is managed through system values and audit journaling.
- Configurable options include types of events to log, such as sign-on attempts, object access, and system changes.
- Regular review and analysis of audit logs are essential for effective security monitoring.
Example:
// This is a conceptual example, as AS400 operations are not directly performed via C#.
// Audit logging configuration is performed through AS400 system commands or interfaces.
// Pseudo-code for enabling audit logging:
EnableAuditLogging("QAUDJRN");
ConfigureAuditLogging("SIGNON", "OBJACC", "SYSVALCHG");
ReviewAuditLog("QAUDJRN");
// Conceptually, these commands enable audit logging to the QAUDJRN journal,
// configure it to record sign-on attempts, object access, and system value changes,
// and then review the audit log entries.
Each of these answers and examples provides a foundation for understanding and discussing the essential aspects of ensuring data security on AS400 systems during an interview.
