IBM has introduced new software that helps businesses protect customer data and other sensitive information from security breaches. The software, which supports both System z and SAP implementations, automatically monitors structured data and application usage across the enterprise and immediately alerts management to unusual activity.
IBM's InfoSphere Guardium 8 is designed to enable organizations to simplify security and compliance regulations with a single set of automated and centralized controls for a broader range of enterprise databases and applications. In addition to its automated monitoring capabilities, the new software also helps clients more easily meet compliance mandates by delivering stronger information governance controls to ensure the privacy and integrity of corporate data while simplifying audits. These new capabilities will also help lower compliance costs across all of an organization's high-value data sources.
"Data is the new currency for business and safeguarding that investment is a primary concern for businesses across every industry," says Arvind Krishna, general manager of IBM's Software Group's Information Management business, IBM's goal is to "help clients reduce the complexity of data security across the largest and most diverse data center environments while at the same time reducing the costs associated with regulatory compliance."
An often overlooked, yet critical, aspect of database security is real-time monitoring and auditing controls for database and system administrators. IBM now offers enhanced database activity monitoring capabilities for IBM DB2 databases running on System z, allowing businesses to protect critical information from unauthorized access by administrators. For example, if a database administrator at an insurance company tries to access a client's Social Security number, salary and medical history, the system will immediately generate an alert for security and compliance personnel. The new version of InfoSphere Guardium 8 leverages IBM-developed mainframe technology to capture all database transactions with minimal performance impact.
Additionally, businesses can now perform a series of automated tests to assess security vulnerabilities such as weak permissions that could leave the organization open to data loss or failed compliance audits. InfoSphere Guardium also provides monitoring and assessment capabilities for non-IBM database platforms running on the mainframe such as Oracle for Linux on System z.
Security and compliance monitoring information about high-value databases and applications, collected by InfoSphere Guardium software, can be combined with information about other systems and network security devices collected by Tivoli Security Information and Event Management software. This integration provides businesses with an enterprise-wide view of key information that enables them to more easily address information governance across the enterprise.
The IBM InfoSphere Guardium 8 software is offered as a pre-configured appliance or virtual appliance for rapid deployment and simplified maintenance. For more information on IBM security offerings, go here.