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Is MFA the Silver Bullet for Mainframe Security? Rocket Software's Secure Host Access: A Closer Look
Rocket Secure Host Access: Modernizing Mainframe Security for the Age of Compliance and Cyber Threats
- Rocket Software's Secure Host Access: A modern security blanket for Mainframe systems that offers both desktop and zero footprint emulators.
- Addressing the Mainframe's achilles' heel: Phishing and passwordless access
- Navigating the Compliance Minefield: DORA, NYCRR 500, and the Federal MFA mandate
- The solution integrates with existing identity and access management (IAM) solutions, supporting MFA, SSO, and passwordless access.
- Secure Host Access aims to help organizations comply with regulations like DORA, 23 NYCRR 500, and the U.S. federal MFA mandate.
- The product offers deployment flexibility, centralized management, and a zero-footprint web emulator for enhanced usability.
The News:
Rocket Software has launched Rocket Secure Host Access, a security-first terminal emulator designed to integrate green screen access with existing identity and access management (IAM) solutions. This new solution provides comprehensive protection against threats like fake workers and phishing attacks, while helping organizations achieve regulatory compliance through multi-layered security features, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and other advanced security best practices. Rocket’s Secure Host Access fully integrates with IBM z/MFA for a multi-layered security defense against attacks. Find out more in a blog from Rocket Software here.
Analyst Take:
The mainframe continues to be a technological bedrock for many organizations. For the uninformed the mainframe evokes images of blinking green screens, yet beneath this retro veneer lies a treasure trove of sensitive data, making it a prime target for cyberattacks.
Rocket Software acquired the Application Modernization and Connectivity (AMC) business from OpenText for $2.275 billion, focusing on enhancing its mainframe modernization capabilities. I spoke with Milan Shetti on day one of the acquisition close about why Rocket bet big on the acquisition. This acquisition included key assets like COBOL and host connectivity tools, which are essential for running mainframe applications on modern platforms. Check out my conversation with Neil Fowler and Phil Buckellew around the way the new Rocket Software portfolio is designed to operate. The deal significantly expanded Rocket Software's customer base and expertise in mainframe technologies, positioning it as a leader in the market. Furthermore, the integration of OpenText's AMC division into Rocket Software's portfolio allows for a broader range of modernization solutions, supporting customers from mainframe to cloud environments.
Rocket Software's latest offering, Secure Host Access fits within the wider strategic landscape and aims to modernize the security of these mission-critical systems, bringing them in line with today's stringent compliance standards and evolving threat landscape.
What Was Announced
Rocket Secure Host Access is a terminal emulator designed to integrate with existing IAM solutions. This means organizations can extend their current security practices to their mainframe environments, rather than relying on outdated and often vulnerable authentication methods. The solution supports MFA, adding an extra layer of user verification beyond traditional passwords. SSO is also incorporated, allowing users to authenticate once and access multiple systems, streamlining the user experience while maintaining security. Notably, Secure Host Access offers phishing-resistant, passwordless access, addressing a critical vulnerability in mainframe systems.
Simplified Security Integration: Provides a centralized, high-availability solution for accessing host applications, deployable across various systems and accessible crucially through either a desktop or a zero-footprint web emulator.
Cost-Effective Risk Mitigation: Minimizes financial risks related to compliance issues and cyber threats by applying enterprise-level authentication best practices to host applications, while also removing the need for extra security vendors.
Future-Ready IT Security: Delivers a scalable and forward-thinking security approach. As a security-focused partner, Rocket Software supports businesses in securing their mainframes with the same rigor as their broader IT infrastructure. We adapt to meet customers at any stage of their modernization process, offering customized security authentication solutions. Rocket Secure Host Access boasts a comprehensive future plan and a team committed to adhering to the latest security standards.
Peering Beneath the Surface
The launch of Secure Host Access is timely. The regulatory landscape is tightening, with mandates like DORA, 23 NYCRR 500, and the U.S. federal MFA mandate pushing organizations to adopt more robust security measures. Failure to comply can result in hefty financial penalties and reputational damage. Rocket Software is clearly positioning this product as a solution to these pressures, emphasizing its ability to simplify compliance and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
However, the effectiveness of any security solution lies in its practical implementation and performance. While the press release highlights the product's features and benefits, it's essential to delve deeper. How does Secure Host Access perform in real-world scenarios? How easily does it integrate with existing systems, and what are the actual security benefits observed by users? These are questions that will need to be addressed as the product matures and user feedback emerges.
Looking Ahead
I'll be closely monitoring how Rocket Secure Host Access performs in the market. Specifically the adoption in the context of DORA. The company's roadmap and commitment to ongoing security enhancements suggest a dedication to staying at the forefront of mainframe security solutions. However, the competitive landscape is fierce, with established players like IBM, Broadcom, and BMC Software offering similar solutions. Rocket Software will need to demonstrate a clear value proposition to stand out.
Based on my analysis, the key trend to watch is the increasing convergence of mainframe systems and modern security practices. Rocket Secure Host Access is a prime example of this trend, and its success could pave the way for wider adoption of similar solutions. Ultimately, the mainframe's longevity depends on its ability to adapt to the evolving threat landscape, and solutions like Secure Host Access are crucial in ensuring its continued relevance in the digital age.
Steven Dickens | CEO HyperFRAME Research
Regarded as a luminary at the intersection of technology and business transformation, Steven Dickens is the CEO and Principal Analyst at HyperFRAME Research.
Ranked consistently among the Top 10 Analysts by AR Insights and a contributor to Forbes, Steven's expert perspectives are sought after by tier one media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, and he is a regular on TV networks including the Schwab Network and Bloomberg.