Interpreting Output from the RACF SETR LIST Command

sponsored by the Henderson Group
Computer Security Consulting and Training


ABSTRACT
"Interpreting Output from the RACF SETR LIST Command"
SETR is the command to set options for RACF, IBM's strategic software for mainframe computer security. The SETR LIST command is the version which lists the current setting of all these options. This session will show you how to interpret all these settings. (You may have an actual printout to use along with the presentation.) You will learn recommended values for these settings, as well as the reasons behind these recommendations.
This is the handout for a stand-up presentation by Stu Henderson. It's content is offered on an "as-is", at-your-own- risk, test-it-yourself-first, basis. The opinions expressed are his, and may not be suitable for your installation. This article has been updated July, 2007.
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AGENDA


I INTRODUCTION
II EXPLANATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
III SUMMARY AND CALL TO ACTION
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I INTRODUCTION



TODAY, WE WILL EXAMINE A SETR LISTING IN 5 PARTS:
A) THE ATTRIBUTES
B) RESOURCE CLASS SWITCHES
C) DATASET AND USERID OPTIONS
D) PASSWORD OPTIONS
E) MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS

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II EXPLANATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


A) THE ATTRIBUTES (THE TOP LINE OF THE PRINTOUT)


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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ATTRIBUTE SWITCHES:

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B) RESOURCE CLASS SWITCHES (SEVERAL PAGES LONG WITH THE NAME OF THE SWITCH ON THE EXTREME LEFT SIDE OF THE PRINTOUT)
THESE SWITCHES DESCRIBE SETTINGS FOR EACH RESOURCE CLASS.


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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOURCE CLASS SWITCHES

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C) DATASET AND USERID OPTIONS



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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DATASET AND USERID OPTIONS

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D) PASSWORD OPTIONS
(PLEASE NOTE THAT IBM HAS RECENTLY ADDED SUPPORT FOR MIXED CASE PASSWORDS AND PASS PHRASES TO RACF. NOT ALL ONLINE PROGRAMS (SUCH AS TSO AND CICS) ARE ABLE TO HANDLE THESE YET. LONG TERM, YOU WILL WANT TO USE THESE NEW FEATURES, BUT ONLY AFTER GOOD TRAINING FOR USERS, AND BEING SURE THAT ALL ONLINE PROGRAMS YOU USE SUPPORT THEM AS WELL.)


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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PASSWORD OPTIONS

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E) MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS


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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MISCELLANEOUS OPTIONS

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III SUMMARY AND CALL TO ACTION




Return to HG Home Page (www.stuhenderson.com)
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About the Author


Stuart Henderson is an experienced consultant and trainer who specializes in effective IT audits and computer security. He has helped hundreds of organizations make better use of security software such as RACF, ACF2, and TopSecret. He has also helped these organizations address the technical and organizational issues surrounding cross-platform security. As President of the Henderson Group, he directs a variety of activities in support of the computer security and IT audit communities. These include: seminars, consulting services, articles, and speeches. He is an experienced system programmer who has earned the Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Data Processor designations. His seminars on computer security and audit of: MVS, DB2, RACF, VTAM, Windows 2000, and other subjects are taught nationwide. He teaches Certified Information Systems Auditor review courses for the National Capital Area Chapter of the ISACA.
He speaks to groups such as the Computer Security Institute, the DPMA, the ISSA, and the ISACA. Some of his topics have been: "What System Programmers Know that DSOs and EDP Auditors Should (or How I Would Break into Your System and What You Should be Doing to Stop Me)", What Non-Data Processing Executives Should Know and Do About Computer Security", "Combining VAX/VMS Security with IBM Mainframe Security", and "Tools for Maintaining Single Point of Control for Security". He is founder of the New York RACF Users Group and Editor of its newsletter. His website is http://www.stuhenderson.com. He can be reached at (301) 229-7187 or stu@stuhenderson.com.