Implications

[BeatrixKiddo]

Hi, I need to understand the implication of having an account that support a batch process with special authorities ALLOBJ and/or SECADM. The technichian has not managed to tell me why a batch account would need to have this configuration.

 

[Kozusnik]

If the job is submitted by an application (or user), the profile submitting the job should have the authority. If your security is configured properly, very few users should have *ALLOBJ or *SECADM (only system admins). The user running the job should have security to only the objects needed.

If ALLOBJ is given, the user can submit a job that could affect any object on the system i.e. clear physical files, delete objects (not currently locked), etc.

If SECADM is given, the user can add, change, or delete user profiles.

If they claim ALLOBJ is needed, I'd want to review what they're doing and configure the object level security instead.

If SECADM is needed, I'd consider using adopted authority to handle those requests.

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

Looking in detail, almost 85% of users have ALLOBJ...

 

[jmd0252]

The thing about security is,, that it has to be managed. It is not a set it, and forget thing. The tech probably does not have a clue how security work on the AS400, so how can they be responsible for managing it. They know, if they set it "this way".. then everything works OK. Monkey see, Monkey do.

 

[tcsbiz]

It is true that many AS400 professionals didn't understand or didn't give a rats patootey about security. All access for all users means that everything runs.

But, you have to understand that many AS400 shops were and are small with a handful (at best) of people doing everything. I worked as a one-person shop in one company. It's very diffcult to manage security in that environment. Also, the most training many AS400 pros received was a two-year technical degree with little or no security information. It doesn't make it right, though.

 

[Kozusnik]

85%??? Sounds like you need a security overhaul. Quickly. The iSeries is probably the most secure server platform in the world if configured properly. You should have someone (who knows what they're doing) review the security on that system and make the necessary changes to secure it very soon.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

Thanks!