Securing AS/400 and IBM i Green Screen Systems with Modern SSO

Modern enterprises running IBM i and AS/400 systems are modernizing authentication with SSO and MFA to reduce risk and improve operational efficiency. Traditional password-based access and shared terminal workflows limit visibility and do not meet modern identity requirements.

This white paper outlines how Credenti, Okta, and Microsoft Entra deliver passwordless access to IBM i, AS/400, and iSeries systems without application changes, securing 5250 terminal sessions and integrating IBM i authentication into enterprise identity platforms.

The approach enables:

  • SSO for IBM i, AS/400, and 5250 terminal systems
  • Passwordless authentication using badge, biometric, and QR login
  • Secure shared terminal access without workflow disruption
  • Identity governance and SCIM-based provisioning for AS400

It also addresses key requirements such as audit-ready access controls, phishing-resistant MFA, and secure access across shared and operational environments.

Download the white paper to learn how to implement secure, passwordless SSO and identity lifecycle management for IBM i (AS/400) systems without disrupting legacy applications.

This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.
Thank you! The whitepaper has been sent to your email. Please check your inbox.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again.
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can organizations implement SSO for IBM i (AS/400) systems?

Yes. Credenti enables SSO for IBM i (AS/400) environments by automating authentication into 5250 terminal sessions while integrating with enterprise identity providers such as Okta. Users can access AS/400 systems without manually entering passwords while still preserving the existing application workflow.

Does Credenti support MFA for AS400 and IBM i applications?

Yes. Credenti allows organizations to enforce MFA for AS400 and IBM i systems by applying authentication policies defined in the identity provider before granting access to the 5250 terminal session.

Can IBM i integrate with Okta?

Yes. Credenti enables Okta integration with IBM i environments and can extend identity verification from modern identity providers to legacy terminal-based systems that do not natively support federation protocols.

Does Credenti support SSO for iSeries systems?

Yes. Credenti supports SSO for IBM iSeries and AS/400 systems, allowing users to authenticate with passwordless methods while maintaining compatibility with traditional green screen applications.

Can AS/400 and IBM i systems support modern SSO?

Yes. Organizations can introduce modern SSO concepts around AS/400 access by securing the authentication and session initiation workflow instead of trying to redesign the green screen application itself. This makes it possible to align access with broader identity strategy while preserving the existing business system.

How do you secure 5250 green screen access without changing the application?

The most practical model is to modernize the authentication layer before the user reaches the 5250 session. That allows an organization to enforce stronger identity verification, reduce reliance on passwords, and improve attribution without changing how the IBM i application behaves once the session begins.

Can shared AS/400 terminals be secured without forcing constant login and logout?

Yes. Shared environments can use badge, biometric, QR, or mobile-assisted login workflows to establish the user’s identity quickly at the machine. This preserves the speed operational teams need while making access more attributable and reducing unsafe shortcuts.

Does modernizing IBM i authentication require replacing the AS/400 system?

No. Many organizations keep the IBM i application exactly as it is and modernize only the access workflow around it. This lowers disruption, shortens deployment complexity, and allows identity improvements to happen independently of a full legacy modernization project.

How does Credenti help secure IBM i access?

Credenti helps organizations verify the individual before access to the AS/400 environment is established. With options such as Credenti Tap for badge-based access, Credenti You for face biometric login, and Credenti Unify for bridging legacy and modern identity workflows, organizations can strengthen security while preserving operational usability.

Can Credenti automate user provisioning for IBM i (AS/400) systems?

Yes. Through the IBM AS/400 Connector and the Credenti SCIM Provisioning Gateway, organizations can automate provisioning of IBM i accounts when new users are onboarded in identity platforms such as Okta. This ensures user accounts are created consistently and reduces manual administration.

How does Credenti support identity lifecycle management for IBM i?

Credenti integrates IBM i systems with enterprise identity platforms so that the full identity lifecycle can be managed centrally. When a user’s role changes or they leave the organization, updates and de‑provisioning actions can automatically propagate to AS/400 accounts, reducing orphaned accounts and improving security posture.

Can IBM i accounts participate in identity governance programs?

Yes. Credenti aggregates identity and access information from IBM i environments so organizations can include AS/400 accounts in broader identity governance processes such as access reviews, compliance analysis, and detection of rogue or inactive accounts.

Does Credenti support SCIM provisioning for IBM i environments?

Yes. Using the Credenti SCIM Provisioning Gateway, organizations can implement SCIM-based provisioning for IBM i systems. This allows identity platforms like Okta to automatically create, update, and disable AS/400 accounts while maintaining consistent identity policies across modern and legacy applications.

Modernize Authentication for AS/400 and IBM i Systems

Secure green screen access with passwordless authentication, stronger identity attribution, and enterprise identity alignment without forcing users to abandon the workflows that keep operations moving.