Hands-on exercises for understanding the basics of the zSecure CARLa Auditing and Reporting Language

This set of hands-on exercises is for the IBM Security zSecure CARLa programming language. The zSecure specific CARLa programming language is used by zSecure Admin, zSecure Audit, zSecure Alert, and zSecure Manager for RACF z/VM.

The material in this set of hands-on exercises is partly derived from the IBM Redbook IBM z/OS Mainframe Security and Audit Management Using the IBM Security zSecure Suite. The exercises were originally part of an IBM internal technical workshop offered back in 2008. We are grateful to the ITSO and the authors who contributed to this set of exercises: Jamie Pease, Ted Ralston, Geoff Rousell, Joel Tilton, and Tom Zeehandelaar.

Mainframe skills required

Mainframe technical skills are a prerequisite. This set of exercises is not meant to be a mainframe primer course. The following skills are required for this set of exercises

Basic knowledge of RACF concepts and functions.
General knowledge of z/OS concepts.
Ability to log on to TSO, use ISPF panels, and navigate around a mainframe environment.

Some recommended courses for those needing an introduction to mainframe technology can be found here.

Many useful manuals about security and zSecure can be found at the IBM Redbooks website: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/

Useful books for people who wish to learn mainframe security

Mainframe Basics for Security Professionals: Getting Started with RACF

IBM Press: Ori Pomerantz, Barbara Vander Weele, Mark Nelson, Tim Hahn

Start the Training at the Introduction

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