Acquisitions, Synthetic Data Sets, and the latest Mainframe Security launch

Newly Launched Izzi Software Acquires ColeSoft, Expands Footprint in Mainframe Industry

Izzi Software, a newly launched player in the mainframe scene, has made its first move by acquiring ColeSoft, a Virginia-based company known for its debugging tools for IBM mainframes. Led by industry veteran Jennifer Nelson as CEO, Izzi aims to strengthen and grow established enterprise software solutions.

Nelson emphasized the enduring relevance of mainframes, stating, “Mainframes and other enterprise systems still run the world, and our mission is to acquire successful companies that enable users to continue benefiting from the tools and services that they’ve trusted for years.”

David Cole, founder of ColeSoft, sees the acquisition as an opportunity for expansion, noting, “Izzi was different because their people are from the mainframe world. They understand this space. With their resources behind us, we can grow in ways I could not achieve on my own.”

Izzi Software plans to build on this momentum with further acquisitions in the IBM z and IBM Power sectors throughout 2025, reinforcing its commitment to supporting enterprise computing.

Source

Introducing IBM Synthetic Data Sets 

IBM has unveiled IBM Synthetic Data Sets, a powerful new suite of enterprise-grade, AI-ready datasets designed to accelerate the training of predictive AI models and fine-tune large language models (LLMs). Tailored for IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE, these artificial datasets empower clients, ecosystem partners, and ISVs to harness real-time AI inferencing with greater speed and accuracy.

With key AI use cases for IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE clients including fraud detection and anti-money laundering, these curated datasets enable financial institutions to develop cutting-edge AI models or enhance existing ones, improving accuracy, reducing risk, and strengthening compliance—without the hurdles of real data access.

The family of three IBM Synthetic Data Sets include:

• IBM Synthetic Data Sets for Payment Cards
• IBM Synthetic Data Sets for Core Banking and Money Laundering
• IBM Synthetic Data Sets for Homeowners Insurance

Benefits include:

• Getting started quickly with realistic and compliant artificial data: IBM’s Synthetic Data Sets do not include any real Personal Identifiable Information (PII), making it compliant with data privacy regulations that allow teams to quickly get started on model training for faster time to value
• Reducing risk and costs by detecting fraud more accurately: Enhance predictive AI model building with key attributes already included and with every transaction labeled for fraud and money laundering (ground truth known). Fine-tune large language models (LLMs) with financial services datasets for Composite AI and Agentic AI approaches.

According to IBM Fellow and Z architect Elpida Tzortzatos and IBM vice president Tina Tarquinio in a recent blog on the subject, “This launch shows IBM’s continued investment in enabling clients to derive enhanced business value from AI on the mainframe. IBM Synthetic Data Sets are designed to help with training or fine-tuning AI models quickly, enhancing predictive models and LLMs, and validating models with known ground truth. The combination of the value of the artificially generated datasets with the hardware acceleration sets clients up for delivering innovation with speed and higher accuracy for cost savings.”

Source: IBM

Rocket Software Launches Rocket® Secure Host Access To Enhance Mainframe Security

Rocket Software has introduced Rocket® Secure Host Access, a terminal emulator designed for enhanced security by seamlessly integrating green screen access with existing identity and access management (IAM) systems. This new solution strengthens defenses against cyber threats such as phishing and impersonation while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Rocket Secure Host Access features multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and other advanced security measures to protect critical systems and meet key regulatory requirements, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), 23 NYCRR Part 500, and the U.S. federal MFA mandate.

Puneet Kohli, President of Application Modernization at Rocket Software, states,“Regulatory requirements are becoming more stringent and costly, while cyber-threat complexity continues to accelerate demanding additional protections.” Rocket Software’s solution offers centrally managed, high-availability host access, deployable both in the cloud and on-premises, helping businesses streamline security and compliance efforts.

Key benefits include seamless security integration, cost-effective risk mitigation, and a future-proof IT security strategy. Chris Drake, Senior Research Director at IDC, highlighted the importance of integrating modern security practices like MFA and SSO into legacy systems, noting, “Rocket Secure Host Access provides an easy way for mainframe organizations to integrate green screen login authentication into their IAM solution.”