PowerTech: Beyond Software
Posted in Services on December 21st, 2009 by Clint – Be the first to commentBy Robin Tatam
Although PowerTech is known around the world as the leading provider of IBM i security solutions, there is far more to the story than just software. Not only do we perform professional services—on IBM i-based controls as well as the implementation of our software—but we also continually invest in the security area by committing money and resources to education and spreading the security message within IBM i organizations.
I would like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the other initiatives we are busy working on for 2010.
Local User Groups
One of the main networking channels for IBM i professionals is often the local and regional user groups that help promote education and knowledge sharing. Unfortunately, many of these groups struggle to fund resources to speak to their membership. To assist with this, I am personally visiting no less than seven states in the next couple of months to conduct speaking sessions on various group-selected topics—all fully funded by PowerTech!
If you live in or around the following cities, please come out and say “Hi!” I would love to meet you, and I am sure that your local user group would welcome the support.
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Security Education
While IBM won’t schedule their security class until they have enough customers to attend (and then makes you travel to one of several major metropolitan cities), PowerTech is bringing a security class to you! Several of the above cities and dates have been selected to host a half-day class on the basics of IBM i security, at a very reasonable price!
If your company has a security initiative in its future, or you have staff members who need to learn some of the basics of IBM i security, this class is for you. Don’t delay—seats are limited.
Please visit www.powertech.com for additional information, or to sign up.
Webinars
Since August, PowerTech been conducting FREE weekly webinars on topics ranging from the configuration of the built-in IBM i audit controls; the risk associated with FTP, ODBC, and remote command; and performing an assessment of your IBM i server in 15 minutes. These have proven to be immensely popular, and so we are busy scheduling further chances to listen to them, as well as add new content into the schedule.
We’ve already established the topic lineup for January, and will continue to add dates and topics as the year progresses.
Set your alarm for Wednesdays at 10 a.m. CT.
Online Training
Don’t let staff changes, or limited budgets prevent you from being at the top of your game. By popular demand, we are now offering online training from an official PowerTech trainer. In February, we are launching a new online training program, starting with Network Security. Each session is an easy-to-manage 60 minutes, and the class comes in segments to accommodate different levels of expertise, and busy schedules.
The cost for this class is $99 for the basic session; $198 for the 2-part advanced session; or $259 for both (basic & advanced). It will be held at 10 a.m. CT on the following dates:
| Date | Description |
| February 4 | PowerTech Network Security – The Basics |
| February 9 | PowerTech Network Security – Advanced Topics Part I |
| February 11 | PowerTech Network Security – Advanced Topics Part II |
While Network Security is the first class we’re offering, we’re also working to provide similar courses on Authority Broker and Compliance Monitor.
Visit the registration page for additional information, or to sign up.
No-Charge Compliance Assessment
Whether you already feel like your system is secure, or you have no idea where to begin, the hugely popular PowerTech Compliance Assessment provides valuable insight into the security configuration of your IBM i server.
The assessment tool runs on your PC and, in about 15 minutes, presents the findings to your team in a rich application environment. Find out information about your profiles, your system values, and the event auditing settings you have configured.
Not only do you get an automated review, but a PowerTech security expert helps you interpret the findings—all at no charge and with no obligation.
Image of System i Compliance Assessment
Please visit www.powertech.com for additional information, or to request an assessment.
Professional Services
Who better to implement and train you on PowerTech software than the security experts of the PowerTech Group? If you need just a little nudge in the right direction, try our WebEx-based remote assistance. Need to bring a security expert on site? We offer that, too. Let us walk your security staff through the solution installation; perform the initial configuration of the tools; and then train them on how to squeeze every ounce of functionality out of them.
And, if you’ve ever tried to find someone skilled in IBM i security mechanisms, you know how difficult it can be. If you do find someone, you generally have to pay dearly or wait for months for them to get there. Now, there’s another option. Bring in the experts at PowerTech to provide security expertise at reasonable rates.
Some of the topics that we can assist you with include:
- Security Assessments
- Moving to security level 40
- Architecting application security
- Starting to use IBM i auditing features
For more information, visit www.powertech.com/powertech/PowerTech_Web_Services.asp.
We haven’t forgotten our roots…
Of course, software solutions are still our forté and we are investing heavily in our solutions to continue to help you secure your IBM i data through the next decade.
Happy New Year, everyone!