Security / Technical Security

Effective RACF Administration

This course prepares you to be a more effective security administrator as you gain experience and confidence in using the RACF z/OS Security Server component. To reinforce the lectures, the course offers hands-on exercises in which you use the RACF z/OS Security Server component to define users, configure group structures, define general resources, protect z/OS data sets and use several RACF tools.

Issues

Determination of system security requirements
Evaluation of RACF facilities and options
Defining RACF users
Setting up the RACF group structure
Using RACF to protect resources
Selecting an option to customize the RACF
Evaluation and implementation of RACF database options and performance
Identify tools available for audit
Manage the system so that it complies with the plant’s security objectives

Who is this training for?

This intermediate course is designed for people who are new to the RACF component of z/OS security server and are responsible for security administration. This includes those who plan to implement RACF for the first time, as well as those who are security administrators in installations where RACF is already implemented. Inexperienced z/OS users may find the Fundamentals of z/OS RACF Administration (ES19) course more appropriate.

Anyone planning to implement advanced features of RACF should consider taking the Implementing RACF Security for CICS (ES84) and Exploiting the Advanced Features of RACF (ES88) courses.

Prerequisites

You should be familiar with system functions, logging into TSO **and using **ISPF. To take full advantage of the course, knowledge of resources such as datasets, DASD volumes **and programs **is required. This knowledge can be obtained by taking the Fundamental System Skills in z/OS (ES10) course **or** consider taking the Basics of z/OS RACF Administration (ES19) course instead. The ES19 course covers the first day of these prerequisites** and** provides a more basic understanding of RACF than Effective RACF Administration (BE87).
You may also find it beneficial to take the z/OS Security Server RACF, Implementation and Customization (SZ81) course to learn z/OS RACF security server implementation **and** customization.

Training program

Unit 1 - RACF Safety and Review
Unit 2 - Administering groups and users
Exercise 1 - Logging into the laboratory system
Exercise 2 - Defining the structure of a RACF group
Exercise 3 - Administering users
Overview of the exercise
Unit 2 - Administering groups and users (continued)
Exercise 4 - Delegating security administration
Unit 3 - Protection of z/OS data sets
Exercise 5 - Protection of z/OS data sets: Part 1
Exercise 5 - Protection of z/OS data sets: Part 1 (continued)
Exercise 6 - Protecting z/OS data sets: Part 2 Exercise overview
Unit 4 - Introduction to user administration and delegation and general resources
Exercise 7 - Granularity of password resetting
Unit 5 - RACF database, tables and performance options
Unit 6 - RACF tools and outputs
Unit 7 - RACF options
Unit 8 - RACF environmental audit
Exercise 8 - using RACF to administer TSOs (optional)
Exercise 9 - RACF tools (optional)
Exercise 10 - RACF monitoring
Overview of the exercise
Unit 9 - Warehouse management and RACF
Unit 10 - Security of JES facilities
Unit 11 - Safety classification

Delivery Methods

Online

Convenience of participating from anywhere
Interactive live sessions with trainer
Materials available for 30 days
No travel costs

On-site

Direct contact with trainer and group
Intensive hands-on workshops
Networking with other participants
Full focus on learning

Frequently asked questions

What are the prerequisites for this training?

For Effective RACF Administration we recommend: You should be familiar with system functions, logging into TSO **and using **ISPF. To take full advantage of the course, knowledge of resources such as datasets, DASD volumes **and programs **is required. This knowledge can be obtained by taking the Fundamental System Skills in z/OS (ES10) course **or** consider taking the Basics of z/OS RACF Administration (ES19) course instead. The ES19 course covers the first day of these prerequisites** and** provides a more basic understanding of RACF than Effective RACF Administration (BE87).; You may also find it beneficial to take the z/OS Security Server RACF, Implementation and Customization (SZ81) course to learn z/OS RACF security server implementation **and** customization..

What is the format and duration of this training?

The training lasts 5 days and is available in online and on-site format. Sessions run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We can also customize the schedule to fit your team's needs.

Who is this training designed for?

This training is designed for: This intermediate course is designed for people who are new to the RACF component of z/OS security server and are responsible for security administration. This includes those who plan to implement RACF for the first time, as well as those who are security administrators in installations where RACF is already implemented. Inexperienced z/OS users may find the Fundamentals of z/OS RACF Administration (ES19) course more appropriate.; Anyone planning to implement advanced features of RACF should consider taking the Implementing RACF Security for CICS (ES84) and Exploiting the Advanced Features of RACF (ES88) courses..