What infrastructure is required?

CICS/SSO requires a z/OS environment with CICS Transaction Server. It integrates with security managers such as RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret for user authentication and authorization.

For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

Yes, CICS/SSO runs within an LPAR on z/OS. It leverages z/OS security features and integrates with CICS regions to provide single sign-on capabilities.

What systems does CICS/SSO integrate with?

CICS/SSO typically integrates with existing security systems like RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret. It might also require configuration within CICS regions to enable single sign-on for specific applications.

What configuration files are used?

CICS/SSO uses configuration files to define the single sign-on rules and integration with security managers. These files specify which users or groups have access to which CICS applications.

How does CICS/SSO improve productivity?

CICS/SSO improves user productivity by eliminating the need to enter credentials for each CICS application. It also reduces administrative overhead by simplifying user management and password resets.

How does CICS/SSO help with compliance?

By providing a centralized authentication mechanism, CICS/SSO helps organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements related to data access and security. It also provides audit trails for tracking user activity.

How does CICS/SSO enhance security?

CICS/SSO reduces the risk of unauthorized access to CICS applications by enforcing strong authentication and authorization policies. It also simplifies security management by providing a single point of control for user access.

What access control model is used?

CICS/SSO typically uses a role-based access control (RBAC) model, where users are assigned roles that determine their access privileges to CICS applications and resources. This simplifies access management and ensures that users only have access to the resources they need.

What encryption is used and where?

CICS/SSO uses encryption to protect sensitive data such as user credentials and session tokens. Encryption is typically used during transmission and storage to prevent unauthorized access.

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

CICS/SSO provides audit logging capabilities to track user authentication attempts, access to CICS applications, and other security-related events. These logs can be used for security monitoring, incident investigation, and compliance reporting.

How is CICS/SSO typically deployed?

CICS/SSO is typically deployed on-premise, within the organization's z/OS environment. It requires integration with existing CICS regions and security managers.

What level of technical expertise is required to implement it?

Implementing CICS/SSO requires technical expertise in z/OS, CICS, and security management. It involves configuring the product, integrating it with existing systems, and testing the single sign-on functionality.

What ongoing operational requirements exist?

Ongoing operational requirements include monitoring the performance and availability of CICS/SSO, managing user accounts and access privileges, and applying security patches and updates.

What are common implementation challenges?

Common implementation challenges include integrating CICS/SSO with legacy applications, resolving compatibility issues, and ensuring that the single sign-on functionality works seamlessly across all CICS regions.

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CICS/SSO

Enterprise Research Active z/OS

Tools and Utilities 3270 CICS

Vendor

Enterprise Research

Product Overview

CICS/SSO is designed to provide secure single sign-on (SSO) capabilities for CICS (Customer Information Control System) applications running on the z/OS platform. It simplifies user authentication and access management across multiple CICS applications, enhancing security and improving user productivity. The architecture of CICS/SSO involves several key components that work together to provide seamless SSO functionality.

The main system components include the Authentication Service, which handles user authentication requests; the Authorization Service, which enforces access control policies; and the Session Management Service, which manages user sessions. These components communicate through standard z/OS communication protocols. CICS/SSO integrates with existing security managers such as RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret for user authentication and authorization.

It supports various authentication methods, including user ID and password, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and integration with external authentication providers via protocols like Kerberos or SAML. CICS/SSO uses a role-based access control (RBAC) model to manage user access privileges. The administrative interfaces are available through a CLI and web console.

Monitoring and logging capabilities are built-in, providing insights into user activity and system performance. Alternatives include custom-built SSO solutions and other third-party SSO products, but CICS/SSO offers a purpose-built solution tightly integrated with the CICS environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CICS/SSO do?

CICS/SSO provides secure single sign-on capabilities for CICS applications. It allows users to access multiple CICS applications with one set of credentials, improving user experience and reducing administrative overhead.

Is this a system, application, or tool?

CICS/SSO is a tool that enhances the security and usability of CICS environments. It integrates with existing CICS infrastructure to provide a seamless single sign-on experience.

What types of organizations use this?

Organizations that rely heavily on CICS applications, particularly those with a large number of users and applications, benefit most from CICS/SSO. These organizations are often in industries such as banking, finance, insurance, and retail.

When should we consider CICS/SSO?

Consider CICS/SSO when you want to improve user productivity, reduce help desk calls related to password resets, and enhance the security of your CICS applications. It is particularly useful when dealing with regulatory compliance requirements.

What are the alternatives to CICS/SSO?

Alternatives to CICS/SSO include manual password management, custom-built single sign-on solutions, and other third-party SSO products. However, CICS/SSO is specifically designed for CICS environments, offering tighter integration and better performance.

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CICS/SSO

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CICS/SSO do?

Is this a system, application, or tool?

What types of organizations use this?

When should we consider CICS/SSO?

What are the alternatives to CICS/SSO?

What infrastructure is required?

For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

What systems does CICS/SSO integrate with?

What configuration files are used?

How does CICS/SSO improve productivity?

How does CICS/SSO help with compliance?

How does CICS/SSO enhance security?

What authentication methods are supported?

What access control model is used?

What encryption is used and where?

What audit/logging capabilities exist?

How is CICS/SSO typically deployed?

What level of technical expertise is required to implement it?

What ongoing operational requirements exist?

What are common implementation challenges?

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