IBM Support

IBM Security Guardium : Manage Guardium GUI users after enabling Smart Card Authentication

Question & Answer


Question

Why am I unable to add new users and manage existing ones after enabling Smart Card Authentication?

Cause

When the SmartCard system is used, Guardium depends upon the external read-only LDAP authority to provide Authentication and Authorization as the System-of-Record.
By changing or modifying the user credentials on the end-point, this introduces a second System-of-Record.
This is contrary to standard best practices as it allows the end-point to be the authority for Authentication and Authorization and can subvert the LDAP authority.

Answer

The best practice is to utilize the Smart Card credentials as is, and compare them to the System-of-Record.
When those two match, then Authentication and Authorization are approved. If they do not match, then this is denied.
The suggestion is for the LDAP authority to be made the 'System-of-Record' to match the credentials that are provided on the Smart Card.

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSMPHH","label":"IBM Security Guardium"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF004","label":"Appliance"}],"Version":"10.x,11.0,11.1","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB24","label":"Security Software"}}]

Product Synonym

IBM Guardium

Document Information

Modified date:
11 November 2019

UID

ibm11105377