Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is Cyber Security Awareness month at Planet Mainframe, so over here at Trivia Challenge we’ll be focusing our trivia topics on the ever-evolving topic of mainframes and cybersecurity.

Mainframes have long been the backbone of critical industries, particularly in financial services, where they process vast quantities of sensitive data like credit card transactions and ATM withdrawals. As cyber threats evolve, the security of mainframes has become more crucial than ever. 

Despite their reputation for robust security, it has become all too clear that mainframes are not immune to attacks, especially from insiders or sophisticated hackers who breach perimeter defenses. With cyber-attacks increasing in frequency and sophistication, the role of mainframes in safeguarding data through proactive security measures is going to be essential to maintaining trust and stability in global systems.
Take our quiz and see how well you understand the world of cyber security! All the answers can be found in Trevor Eddoll’s article: “Cyber security and cyber resiliency for financial institutions (and everyone else).”

1. What is cyber resiliency primarily concerned with?

 
 
 
 

2. What was a key outcome, related to cyber security, of the financial crisis in 2008?

 
 
 
 

3. Who are the international agencies responsible for setting guidelines for cyber resiliency in financial markets (responsible for publishing “Guidance on Cyber Resilience for Financial Market Infrastructures”)?

 
 
 
 

4. What does NIST (The National Institute of Standards and Technology) recommend for software verification?

 
 
 
 

5. What is the purpose of whitelisting in cybersecurity?

 
 
 
 

6. What percentage of credit card transactions does IBM estimate are processed on mainframes?

 
 
 
 

7. Which major attack method involves hackers targeting backups before encrypting data?

 
 
 
 

8. What is the risk if a financial institution is found non-compliant with PCI/DSS regulations after a breach?

 
 
 
 

9. What is the purpose of file integrity monitoring (FIM) on mainframes?

 
 
 
 

10. Why is it important for companies to have FIM software installed on mainframes?

 
 
 
 

Sonja Soderlund is an Oregon-based B2B freelance writer. Whether writing about mainframe computers, educational technology, or sustainable retail, she strives to bring clarity to complex issues. Connect with her at sonjasoderlund.com or LinkedIn.

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