Mainframe vulnerability management is the process of locating, assessing, and addressing your threats on the mainframe to ensure the security and integrity of critical systems and data.
Cyberthreats are evolving at a hair-raising pace, making the security and integrity of your mainframe more important — and precarious — than ever. Mainframes are the unsung heroes of enterprise operations, powering critical applications and safeguarding sensitive information. But with great responsibility comes great risk. These systems are a prime target for cyberattacks. Did you know that 76% of organizations experienced a cybersecurity breach in the last year, with many attacks exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities?
Effective vulnerability management is no longer optional; it’s essential. This means continuously monitoring for potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities and understanding their severity, and taking decisive action, through steps like patches, software updates, and tightening access controls.
Every proactive step is a shield against unauthorized access, data breaches, and costly operational disruptions. The mainframe powers your work — until an unmanaged vulnerability weakens it.
Vulnerability management is key to staying compliant by identifying and addressing security weaknesses. Many regulations require secure systems and data protection, including:
Effective vulnerability management helps reduce your data breach risks, apply regular patches, and show proactive security during audits. Neglecting it can lead to fines, legal issues, and reputational damage. The stakes couldn’t be higher: non-compliance costs nearly three times more than compliance.
New risks are surfacing as technology evolves, posing challenges that weren’t as significant in the past. Today’s cybercriminals compromise your mainframe’s data security with:
Staying ahead of these evolving challenges is critical to maintaining the security and stability of mainframe operations.
To address mainframe threats, implement a structured, continuous process to identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate vulnerabilities within the mainframe environment. Here's how:
By combining automated tools, threat intelligence, and best practices, a vulnerability management program enables organizations to proactively address emerging threats, protect sensitive mainframe environments, and maintain operational resilience
The mainframe is one of the most secure platforms available, but its security, integrity, and resilience depend on the initiatives, plans, and processes you implement. Without proper diligence, security cannot be guaranteed.
the average cost of a data breach in 2024
of organizations to overlook rigorous security measures
Source: IBM and Ponemon Institute, 2024
Mainframes are often seen as impenetrable, leading 67% of organizations to overlook rigorous security measures, according to a report by Key Resources Inc. Cybercriminals capitalize on this misconception, targeting mainframes because they store 70% of the world’s data and run 90% of global credit card transactions. Failure to include mainframes in a comprehensive vulnerability management program exposes your organizations to significant risks. With IBM reporting that the average data breach costs $4.88 million in 2024, prioritizing mainframe security as part of your strategy is more critical than ever. As technology evolves, so do your vulnerabilities.
Your vulnerability management program must be too dynamic for surprises.
The challenge of organizing mainframe security best practices arises from the mainframe’s undeniable importance. An enterprise’s valuable tool is a cybercriminal’s valuable target. This is why vulnerability management is imperative.
And this is why vulnerability management involves more than just uploading some risk management software. Strategic vulnerability management is the building block you need for success with your risk management tools. Otherwise, you leave your organization open to the hazards of relying on a narrow: security infrastructure: When the only tool you have is a hammer, every challenge must be treated like a nail.
Tips and best practices for effective vulnerability management:
By following these best practices, you can build a comprehensive vulnerability management strategy that protects operations, ensures compliance, and strengthens resilience against evolving cybersecurity threats.
Another reason your organization needs vulnerability management for mainframe security is to preserve your mainframe’s integrity:
Mainframe integrity is about:
Mainframe security is about:
Together, integrity and security form the backbone of a resilient and trusted mainframe ecosystem.
The importance of vulnerability management is that, without it, you can only start with mainframe integrity — but you won’t have the security to keep it. Integrating vulnerability management protects both sides of your mainframe and the entirety of your organization with the following results:
Strategic vulnerability management also means answering the question of open-source software, a powerful addition to your mainframe which can also present numerous and far-reaching vulnerabilities to your mainframe. The many points of exposure through open source can be assisted by an internal team member falling prey to phishing or an external team member uploading ransomware. Other threats include:
Vulnerability management is critical to your mainframe’s success because open source isn’t a threat to your operations; unmanaged open source is.
Penetration testing is a crucial part of any strong vulnerability management program. Here’s why it matters:
Compliance standards require both vulnerability scanning and penetration testing:
Studies show that 43% of cyberattacks exploit vulnerabilities that proactive testing could have identified. Together, these practices are essential for a comprehensive approach to mainframe security.
When considering mainframe vulnerabilities through the broad lens of “configuration-based versus code-based” vulnerabilities, configuration-based vulnerabilities often receive the bulk of attention and resources. This is partially due to the underestimated consequences and overlooked prevalence of code-based vulnerabilities. However, ignoring code-based vulnerabilities is as costly as ignoring their configuration-based counterparts.
Configuration-based vulnerabilities from the faulty setup (or management) of systems:
Options for configuration-based fixes:
The consequences of code-based vulnerabilities include:
Actionable insight: Regularly assess your mainframe environment for these vulnerabilities. Addressing configuration issues and keeping code up to date lowers your risk of an attack and raises your mainframe security to zero trust levels.
A common requisite among regulations for the mainframe, like DORA, 23 NYCRR Part 500, PCI DSS, and NY State, is to minimize risk through continuous assessment. But the differences between just these three regulators highlight the complexity of mainframe compliance:
These four regulations are part of a larger and even more diverse community. Mainframe vulnerability management is how you keep up with the variety of your regulations, while surpassing your industry competition that can’t.
Before you build your program, make sure you're checking these boxes:
A key aspect of mainframe security is addressing code and configuration-based vulnerabilities. Code-based vulnerability management analyzes application code for flaws, while configuration-based management ensures system settings follow security best practices. Without these measures, a single bad line of code or misconfiguration can lead to costly breaches. Regular reviews and automated tools can help identify and fix these risks.
Vulnerability scanning identifies what and where weaknesses are on your critical systems so they can be addressed promptly before they become a problem for your business. However, regulations often require penetration testing multiple times a year for a deeper assessment. Penetration tests simulate real-world attacks, or provide detailed reporting on how an attack could take place, to uncover vulnerabilities and how they might be exploited. These insights are vital for building strong defenses and staying ahead of evolving threats.
Many organizations use open-source software on mainframes, but outdated or unsupported versions can create risks. Remove unauthorized software, support approved tools, and keep them updated. Apply fixes for known CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and patch security gaps to maintain system integrity and regulatory compliance.
Passwords are often the last line of defense, but outdated ones increase the risk of security failures through phishing, malware, or brute-force attacks. Enforce policies for regular password updates such as full implementation of multi-factor authentication, require strong password complexity, and educate users on best practices to reduce risks tied to weak credentials.
A security architect oversees and integrates security protocols across your mainframe environment, including infrastructure, applications, and user access. This role ensures a proactive, strategic approach to mitigating risks and strengthening your organization's defenses.
MFA adds an extra security layer beyond passwords. By requiring multiple authentication methods — like a password paired with a one-time code sent to a trusted device — MFA reduces the chances of unauthorized access. Fully deploy MFA across systems, especially those handling sensitive data or administrative access.
Over time, users may gain excessive access rights, increasing vulnerabilities. Regularly audit access to ensure that employees, contractors, and third parties only have permissions necessary for their roles. Apply the principle of least privilege (PoLP) to limit exposure and minimize breach risks.
By following these streamlined steps, your organization can build a strong vulnerability management program and effectively protect your mainframe systems.
Effective vulnerability management is no longer optional; it’s essential. This means continuously monitoring for potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities and understanding their severity, and taking decisive action, through steps like patches, software updates, and tightening access controls.
Every proactive step is a shield against unauthorized access, data breaches, and costly operational disruptions. The mainframe powers your work — until an unmanaged vulnerability weakens it.
Your future success with mainframe vulnerability management depends on your assortment of those potential solutions, from mainframe audit tools to a data recovery manager. Risk management software and mainframe security services can all be aligned to produce a strong defense against bad actors and routine compliance with standards set by regulators.
Rocket® z/Assure® Vulnerability Analysis Program
Fortify defenses without the oversights but with scans for code-based vulnerabilities boasting an industry-best 99% rate of accuracy
Rocket® Mainframe Security Services
Enhance Your Mainframe Security with Integrity Assessments, Penetration Testing, Compliance Support, and IBM RACF Conversion Services.
Rocket® Rapid Data Recovery
Ensure your critical mainframe data assets are protected and recoverable
Rocket® Open AppDev for Z
Modernize mainframe DevOps with secure open-source software.
Rocket® Secure Host Access
A security-first terminal emulator that integrates with enterprise IAM solutions, like MFA and SSO, to protect critical systems.
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