IBM Bolsters ACS Security Features
IBM has enhanced security features in its Access Client Solutions (ACS) tool to help administrators and analysts identify potentially damaging IBM i configurations or uses. This is particularly important given the complexity of managing IBM i systems, which can leave users overburdened with responsibilities.
The new SQL capabilities in ACS were introduced as part of the 2026 summer Technology Refresh for IBM i 7.6 TR2 and 7.5 TR8. These enhancements include a slew of new security-focused IBM i services that provide SQL versions of system commands or Control Language (CL) equivalents.
Among these new features is the ability to easily spot unused but active user profiles, which can pose a significant security risk. Scott Forstie, the Db2 for i database architect, demonstrated this capability during an IBM i Guided Tour, using SQL in ACS to find user profiles that hadn't been used in the past three months.
The results of the query included columns with labels, providing additional context that can be useful when identifying and remedying security threats. Forstie also highlighted other features of ACS, including its color-coding capabilities and ability to normalize query results for improved usability.