Vertali launches ‘Mainframe Shield’ security awareness initiative

‘The mainframe has to be a priority when it comes to enterprise security as everyone interacts with the mainframe on a daily basis – even if they are not aware.’

Vertali, recognized by the mainframe community as one of the world’s leading authorities on security, is launching an awareness initiative around mainframe cyber security. This focuses on the risks facing organizations, and the need to work collaboratively to protect sensitive data and secure mission-critical applications.

“Mainframe Shield is not a service or a product, it’s about a mindset and embracing new approaches to cyber security and resiliency,” says Leanne Wilson, senior security consultant, Vertali. “It’s about recognizing that more needs to be done, and that protecting and defending our systems must be an absolute priority as the threat landscape continues to evolve and grow.

“There is a misconception that the mainframe is inherently secure. Whilst it is the most securable platform in the world, it doesn’t come like this out of the box. Even with robust security features a mainframe can be vulnerable if not properly configured and managed.”

Leanne points to likely mainframe attacks in recent years, such as those affecting Capital One, Equifax and Marriott, the possible scale of unreported attacks, and the potential costs involved. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 found the global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was US $4.88 million, a ten percent increase over the previous year, and the highest total ever.

She says, “Mainframe Shield highlights business challenges including compliance, cyber resilience, risk mitigation, security threats, and challenges. We need to work as a community and use all the tools and technologies at our disposal to ensure we can keep our data, applications, people and systems safe always.”

Leanne says this will require embedding a new security culture, flowing outwards from mainframe teams and enterprise security teams to ensure business decision-makers and senior leaders understand the stakes and fully buy-in to that culture.

“Some organizations are further along on that journey. And while things can be done to help improve security at little or no additional cost, security often demands investments, which require that understanding and buy-in.”

In the coming months, the Mainframe Shield theme will be threaded throughout Vertali blogs, podcasts, events, and external speaking engagements.

For more information on Mainframe Shield, email mainframeshield@vertali.com or call +44 (0) 1527 868380.