Configuring the CIA Repository › The CIA Repository

The CIA Repository

The security information you load into the CIA repository is used for a set of compliance reports that are distributed with your security product. You can use the information in the repository to run ad-hoc SQL queries, because the query is not possible with the security product command, or the same query executed against the mainframe security databases would affect the performance of your security product.

You can also develop customized security applications and reports that use the security information in the CIA repository.

CA Chorus for Security and Compliance Management leverages the information in the CIA repository to provide user (account) and security policy information for the CA Chorus security role.

The following concepts are important to understanding the usefulness of the CIA repository:

• The mainframe security products use the security information in the mainframe security database, not in the CIA repository. The information in the repository is replicated from the mainframe security database, and is only intended to be read in servicing reports, CIA queries, customized applications, and CA Chorus. If you modify information in the CIA repository, it does not affect processing in the security product. However, the CIA repository then no longer accurately reflects the information in the mainframe security database.
• Unless you have CA Chorus and are using the CIA real-time feature, the information in the CIA repository is only as accurate as the last time it was replicated from the mainframe security database. Information in the repository is not updated in real time when information in the security database is changed. If you need current information in a set of reports or SQL queries, arrange to have the current security information replicated to the repository before running the reports or queries.
• If you have CA Chorus for Security and Compliance Management, you can use the CIA real-time feature to maintain the CIA repository such that it is an accurate reflection of current information in the security product databases. For more information see CIA Real-Time Processing for CA Chorus.