For companies that need to ensure their data remains secure in hybrid cloud environments, IBM has a new mainframe: the z13s.

Unveiled today, the system is specifically targeted at hybrid cloud environments and can secure critical information and transactions better than before—and without slowing down performance, said Kathryn Guarini, vice president of offering management for z Systems and LinuxONE at IBM.

“What we’re really responding to is the focus and challenge around cyber security and how it’s becoming a paramount issue that clients across all businesses need to deal with,” she said. “This is coming from the opportunity that cloud is driving, but that also presents some new threats.”

An entry point into the z family, the z13s is designed for medium-sized businesses that are looking for the scale, speed, reliability and security of the mainframe platform, Guarini said. The processor is an evolution of z Systems platform that includes technology and innovation around three key security areas:

1. Security embedded into hardware: The new z13s has advanced cryptography features built into the hardware that allow it to encrypt and decrypt data twice as fast as previous generations could, protecting information without compromising performance.

2. Intelligent security capabilities: IBM is integrating mainframe technology with IBM Security software solutions to create the secure foundation for a hybrid cloud infrastructure. IBM also offers a new Cyber Security Analytics service to z Systems customers that can help identify malicious activity by learning user behavior over time.

3. Expanded partner ecosystem: IBM is working with leaders in the cyber security industry through the Ready for IBM Security Intelligence partner program to help deliver enterprise-wide solutions tailored to specific client needs.

The z/OS has always been secure, but now encryption processes that had been add-ons are embedded in it, said David Floyer, CTO of Wikibon.

“The z13s encrypts with very little overhead,” he said. “You want security to be encrypted as it passes through the system, and the z13s does that.”

How the z13s fit in the cloud

More companies are moving to hybrid clouds and embracing disparate technologies deployed in different ways, Guarini said. And some of them are in regulated industries that have to keep their mission-critical IT solutions on premises. With the z13s, they can do both.

“Enabling and responding to those trends to do both is really how we’ve approached bringing the latest and greatest technology from z systems. It brings enhanced security and enhanced agility for hybrid systems,” she said.

IBM is emphasizing that the mainframe can be used in a cloud to share resources or it can be put in its own cloud, Floyer said. It also runs faster than standard Intel servers. The cost is higher, but the value is higher. You get a higher level of security and performance where you need it.

“For applications that need that level of performance and end-to-end security, mainframes are a total converged system that works very well,” he said.

The z13s will be generally available by March.

Photo by Kansir via Flickr CC