Mainframes have been at the heart of many large organizations: banks, insurance companies, public administrations, energy companies, and large retailers continue to rely on them to process critical operations, manage huge volumes of data, and ensure business continuity.
However, this historical reliability has, in some cases, led to a false sense of security.
Today, talking about mainframe security is no longer a technical matter reserved for specialized departments. It is a strategic concern that directly affects the reputation, operations, and economic viability of any company that depends on these systems.
The current role of the mainframe in the modern enterprise
Although technology discourse often revolves around the cloud, artificial intelligence, and microservices, the reality is that mainframes still process a significant share of global transactions. Many organizations have modernized their environments by connecting the mainframe to APIs, web applications, and external services.
This new hybrid scenario has clear advantages, but also expands the attack surface. . The mainframe is no longer isolated in an internal “bubble”: it now communicates with multiple systems, users, and vendors. And every connection is a potential entry point.
Mainframe security: a risk that is often underestimated
One of the most common mistakes is thinking that the mainframe is secure “by default.” It is true that its architecture is robust, but security does not depend solely on technology; it also depends on how it is configured, managed, and monitored over time.
In many corporate environments, worrying patterns continue to repeat themselves, such as excessive privileges granted to some users, inherited access from employees who changed positions or left the company, or outdated configurations that have not been updated to current standards.
These factors create a breeding ground for security flaws in mainframe environments, especially when the system is integrated with more modern open platforms.
The real impact of a breach in a mainframe
When an incident affects a peripheral system, the damage is usually limited. But when the problem is on the mainframe, the consequences multiply.
The following may occur:
- Serious service disruptions.
- Large-scale exposure of financial or personal data.
- Economic sanctions for legal non-compliance.
- Loss of trust from customers and partners.
These flaws not only facilitate unauthorized access but also complicate regulatory compliance (GDPR, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, among others).
Mainframe security testing: an essential practice
For years, mainframe security testing has been treated as a one-off event: annual audits, sporadic reviews, or reactive analyses after an incident. This approach is no longer sufficient.
Current reality demands an evolution from ad hoc review to continuous assessment. . Environments change, users rotate, permissions are modified, and integrations expand. Without constant visibility, it’s impossible to know the true level of exposure.
Modern security testing should allow:
- Identify critical assets and their level of exposure.
- Detect insecure configurations before they are exploited.
- Prioritize risks according to their actual impact on the business.
- Measuring the evolution of security over time.
This is where new approaches like Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) come in.
CTEM applied to the mainframe: a necessary evolution
The CTEM model is not just about detecting vulnerabilities, but about understanding the company’s actual exposure to specific threats. Instead of endless lists of alerts, it prioritizes what truly matters.
Applied to mainframe security, this approach provides a clear and up-to-date view of risk. This allows technical failures to be linked to their business impact, enables data-driven decision-making, and reduces the gap between technical teams and management.
Kartos by Enthec: Visibility and continuous control for companies
In this context, solutions like Kartos by Enthec provide clear value for companies that want to go a step further in protecting their critical systems.
Kartos is positioned as a cyber-surveillance tool, a cybersecurity solution for businesses and CTEM oriented to corporate environments,helping to continuously identify where the organization is truly vulnerable. It’s not just about detecting problems, but about understanding their relevance and acting with sound judgment.
Among its main contributions are:
- Continuous visibility about assets and configurations.
- Early identification of security flaws in mainframe environments and connected systems.
- Risk prioritization based on operational impact.
- Support for continuous improvement strategies of security.
Mainframe security as part of the business strategy
One of the biggest changes in recent years is that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. Today, mainframe security is part of the company’s global strategy.
Good safety management reduces response times, prevents unexpected downtime, and improves coordination between teams.
The mistake of relying solely on one-off reviews
Many companies still rely on annual audits as their primary control mechanism. The problem is that the photo quickly becomes outdated.. A change in permissions, a new integration, or a forgotten account can generate exposure in a matter of days.
Experience shows that attacks and incidents don’t wait for the audit schedule. That’s why more and more organizations are opting for continuous monitoring models, supported by specialized tools.
A more realistic and sustainable approach
Having absolute control over all security is not realistic. What is possible, however, is to constantly reduce the attack surface, understand where the risks lie, and act before they become serious problems.
The combination of good practices, trained teams, and cyber-surveillance solutions such as Kartos enables us to move towards that goal in a sustainable and measurable way.
Does your company rely on a mainframe and lack real visibility into its exposure?
If you want to know what risks exist in your environment today, how to prioritize them, and what steps to take to improve your security posture, it’s time to adopt a continuous approach.
Discover how Kartos by Enthec can help you consistently manage exposure to threats in alignment with your business.
