Understanding RACF


Today a sound understanding of security is essential for all of us working in IT. This one-day course is the ideal introduction to IBM's RACF, and is suitable for all technicians, administrators, support personnel and managers who will come across RACF in their daily work.
It is also an ideal introduction to RACF for Systems Programmers and those training to be RACF Administrators. The course clearly explains the concepts and terminology of RACF, and introduces all the major RACF commands.

In addition to public presentations, this course is also available for exclusive, one-company presentations and for live presentation over the Internet, via the Virtual Classroom Environment service.



The next step

If this course is your first step to developing RACF Administrator skills, the course RACF Administration & Auditing is the logical follow-on.
If you are a Systems Programmer then you should go on to take RACF for z/OS Systems Programmers.

Virtual Classroom Environment dates - click to book!

UK Start Times

25 March 2024 3 May 2024 24 May 2024 7 June 2024

 

USA/Canada Start Times

10 June 2024 23 September 2024

What is a 'Virtual Classroom Environment'?

 

What do I need?

  • webcam
  • headphones with microphone
  • sufficient bandwidth, at least 1.5 Mb/s in each direction.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • identify the need for security in business information systems
  • explain all major RACF commands
  • explain dataset and general resources
  • connect users to groups
  • list the dataset related commands to manage both discrete and generic profiles
  • list the commands to manage general resources
  • describe the audit facilities available in RACF
  • use and explain the operation of the setropts management commands.

Who Should Attend

The course is suitable for anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of RACF concepts and terminology.

Prerequisites

Attendees should have a clear understanding of z/OS at a conceptual level.

Duration

1 day

Fee (per attendee)

£600 (ex VAT)

 

This includes free online 24/7 access to course notes.

 

Hard copy course notes are available on request from rsmshop@rsm.co.uk

at £50.00 plus carriage per set.

Course Code

3092

Contents

Introduction to RACF

What is required of a security system?; IBM's Resource Access Control Facility (RACF); Main RACF/MVS components; How does RACF work?; RACF Profiles; RACF classes; Controlling access; RACF commands.

Planning for RACF

Management commitment; Selecting a security planning and implementation team; Responsibilities of the implementation team; Deciding what to protect; Deciding how to protect data; Establishing ownership structures; Establishing who needs access.

RACF Group Structure

RACF group structure; Group types; Dataset owning groups; Users owning groups; General Resource groups; Concept of group and profile ownership; Administration delegation; Benefits of RACF groups; Defining RACF groups; Group CONNECT authority; Group profile contents; Group related commands.

Defining Users to RACF

Information on users; RACF user information; DFP segment information; TSO segment information; OPERPARM segment information; NETVIEW segment information; CICS segment information; OMVS segment information; Defining a new User; Prepare to create the user profile; Create the User Profile; Give user access to any RACF-protected areas; User-related commands; User attributes; Classifying users and data; Security categories and levels; Security labels.

Defining Datasets to RACF

Dataset related commands; Dataset protection; Discrete profiles; Generic profiles; Rules for defining dataset profiles; Naming Convention; Dataset profile ownership; Defining Generic Profiles; Access authority for datasets; Adding dataset profiles - ADDSD; Permitting access (PERMIT command).

Defining General Resources

General Resource related commands; Class Descriptor Table (CDT); IBM-defined Resource Classes; Steps for defining General Resource profiles; Granting access to a General Resource; Global Access Table (GAT).

Maintenance & Housekeeping

Maintenance and housekeeping activities; SETROPTS command options; Options for initial setup; In-storage profiles; SETROPTS REFRESH Option; Maintaining the RACF database(s); Maintenance utilities; Maintaining the Started Task Table; Data Security Monitor (DSMON).


What the students say

very enjoyable course, great trainer

RACF Administrator

PGDS

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