Influential Mainframers
Making the Invisible Visible: How PJ Catalano Connects Mainframes to the Next Generation
Pasquale “PJ” Catalano IBM Z & LinuxONE Test ArchitectIBM Infrastructure, EST&IPoughkeepsie, New York, USAThis piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.IBM Z & LinuxONE Test Architect and Master Inventor, Pasquale “PJ”...
SHARE Cleveland 2025: Mainframes, Music, and Milestones
We declare SHARE Cleveland a rockin’ success! The rock ‘n roll theme permeated the city, exhibitor booths, and giveaways, culminating in a live music reception at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Have you seen someone wearing a leather kilt play bagpipes to AC/DC? Now...
Influential Mainframer – Darren Surch
Darren Surch is one of just two people in the world – the world–to be named a Lifetime IBM Champion for IBM Z. This rare honor recognizes sustained excellence in thought leadership and community impact. Darren Surch CEO, Interskill Learning Georgia, USA Connect with...
Influential Mainframer – Leanne Wilson
This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. Today, we highlight someone who doesn’t just talk about the skills gap—she’s doing something about it. Leanne Wilson Technical Delivery Manager / Security Consultant, Vertali...
Influential Mainframer – PJ Catalano
This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. Today, we recognize a returning honoree whose unique blend of technical leadership, innovation, and digital storytelling is changing the image of enterprise computing. PJ...
Influential Mainframer – Andrew McCandless
This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. Today, we celebrate someone who blends technical expertise with human connection—modernizing Db2 one moment, mentoring students the next. Andrew McCandless Founder, War...
Influential Mainframer – Abdul Hafiz
This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. Today, we recognize a veteran systems programmer whose hands-on expertise spans nearly four decades. Abdul Hafiz Principal Engineer - Mainframe, Emirates Airline Dubai, United...
Influential Mainframer – Subhasish Sarkar
Today, we recognize a product strategist, educator, and advocate whose dedication to technology and the community continues to propel the platform forward. Subhasish Sarkar Senior Product Manager/Owner, BMC Software Maharashtra, India Connect with Subhasish on: View...
Latest
Who’s in charge? Controlling network traffic to enhance cyber security and compliance
With cyber security and cyber resiliency top priorities for organizations, is enough focus given to the wider network, asks Tony Amies of Vertali How can you confirm that your network access control settings are correct and are working as intended? How can you...
A CISO Profile
For those who have grown up with the internet, it’s probably hard to imagine a time when cyberattacks did not loom as an existential threat to organizations. But the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a fairly recent invention, coming into...
Mainframe Cybersecurity: What Every Leader Needs to Know
In this short video, Ravi Patil, Director, Product Management & Strategy, explains Mainframe cybersecurity in simple terms and recommends an effective approach for protecting your company. Learn More Here
Enhancing Data Security and Recovery with IBM Z Cyber Vault
In August, Tracy Dean, Product Manager, IMS Tools and z/VM Tools, presented an insightful session on "What does IBM z Cyber Vault mean for an IMS environment?" In her presentation, she explored the significance of IBM Z Cyber Vault in safeguarding data integrity and...
The CISO’s Dilemma: Challenges in the Cyber Regulatory Environment
The digital age has ushered in an era of unparalleled technological advancements, facilitating the rapid growth of global commerce, communication, and data sharing. While the ubiquity of digital interconnections has brought immense benefits, it also presents new...
Make the Switch Now: Why Broadcom’s MFA is a Mainframe Must-Have
Written by: Jose Arias, CISSP, ITILMainframe Security Specialist Imagine the surprise when, as an occasional gym visitor, you return to your fitness center one day, eager to resume your workouts, only to find that the familiar wristband is no longer the key to access....
Mainframe security—Early Warning needed to beat back hackers
The stages in a mainframe breach are familiar to most mainframers these days. Firstly, the bad actors need to gain access to the mainframe. That is as simple as going to the web and buying a user id and password combo for as little as $120. But even worse if the...
The Evolution of Cybersecurity. From Cascade to Quantum
Cybersecurity is a journey. The last three decades show that hackers and security teams have continually competed with each other, adapting to a changing environment. Both have learned from each other, but cybersecurity has—perhaps inevitably—always had to catch up to...
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European Mainframe Technical Exchange – Prague – April 21-23
Prague, Czech Republic Prague, Czech RepublicRegistration is open for the 2026 European Broadcom Mainframe Technical Exchange! This year’s event will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, from April 21 - 23. Register today to reserve […]
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GSE UK Virtual Conference 2026 including Mainframe Trends 2026: Insights from the Mainframe User Survey
GSE UK Virtual Conference 2026Do More at the Core. Built to Learn, Engineered to Lead. Join the global mainframe community for the GSE UK Virtual Conference 2026, taking place April […]
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Virtual CICS User Group | May 12, 2026
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Virtual Db2 User Group | May 19, 2026
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2026 Arcati Survey Results Trivia
Welcome to this week’s Planet Mainframe trivia quiz! On the heels of the 2026 Arcati Survey Results release, this round of trivia focuses on changes underway. Workforce demographics are shifting, new generations are entering mainframe computing fields (and through...
Business-Driven Automation, AI Confidence Outpaces Readiness, and more
BMC Advances Business-Driven Automation and Mainframe Transformation with AI-Powered Innovations Precisely’s State of Data Integrity and AI Readiness Study: AI Confidence Outpaces Readiness Rocket Software to Acquire Vertica Analytics Database Platform from OpenText...
❓Python Programming Trivia
We often describe Python as a “modern” language, but its story spans decades of technological change, cultural shifts, and unexpected platforms. What began as a small side project in the Netherlands evolved into one of the most widely used programming languages in the...
Rocket Software and K2view Partnership, 2025 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice, and more
IBM Introduces New Software to Address Growing Digital Sovereignty Imperative Rocket Software and K2view Partner to Accelerate Mainframe Modernization with Governed, AI-Ready Test Data for Testing, Analytics, and AI BMC is recognized as a 2025 Gartner® Peer Insights™...
❓Mainframe Professional Skills Trivia
Our last trivia quiz explored the legacy of mainframe pioneers, and this week we’re going to continue looking into the lineage of skills in mainframe professional practice, examining how early design and operational decisions shaped the way mainframe expertise is...
❓ Workforce and Training Trivia
Happy 2026—and welcome to a whole new year of Planet Mainframe Trivia! As our January theme focuses on Workforce and Training, this quiz looks at mainframe pioneers and the early decisions that shaped how mainframe skills are learned and passed on. Mainframe expertise...