Extending Security Using the Application Interface

This section contains the following topics:

Introduction to the API

The CA Top Secret Application Interface lets a programmer link an application program to CA Top Secret services. The Application Interface can be used to:

Perform security checks for resources, such as database fields and user resources
Perform security checks on application program menu options, CICS application panels, and so on
Consolidate additional security and integrity requirements (for example, application level security requirements)
Retrieve or update user‑oriented information maintained on the Security Record's installation data area
Log site‑oriented data to the Audit/Tracking File
Retrieve a user's ACID and status
Retrieve a user's list of accessible general resources

The CA Top Secret Application Interface can be invoked by macro or command level programs written in COBOL, PL/1, or Assembler. This interface relieves the programmer from the task of locating the user's Security Record and interfacing directly with CA Top Secret through the z/OS Security Interface.

The Application Interface cannot be used to retrieve distributed information from non‑local security files that are using CPF.