In today’s IT landscape, cyber security and compliance are no longer just priorities – they are expectations. Your board expects it. Regulators demand it. Users assume it is already in place.
But for many IBM i environments, one crucial piece has always been more difficult to implement than it should be: multi-factor authentication (MFA).
You know it is a vital layer of defence. So does every compliance framework you work to meet. But until now, MFA on IBM i often meant expensive third-party software, additional integration and ongoing maintenance costs.
That is why IBM i V7R6 is worth paying attention to
Launched on 8 April 2025, IBM i V7R6 introduces MFA directly into the operating system (OS). This is not a workaround. There is no extra cost or bolt-on required. It is a long-requested feature, now fully supported by IBM, and available out of the box.
Why it matters to you
- It is built in
MFA is included as part of the OS. No separate licence, no external product. It is ready to use straight away. - It is officially supported
With IBM backing the functionality, there is reassurance that it will be maintained and integrated with future updates. - It helps meet compliance requirements
MFA is increasingly needed for regulatory standards such as GDPR, PSD2 and ISO/IEC 27001. With it now part of the OS, you have one less thing to worry about. - It saves real money
Third-party MFA solutions for IBM i have typically cost £7,000 or more, plus annual fees. This is now included at no extra charge.
And your peers are already moving
At this year’s COMMON POWERUp conference, half of IBM’s early adopter customers said they planned to implement V7R6 within three months. A further 25 percent said within six months. That tells us the demand is real and the business case is clear.
Why now?
If you are currently running IBM i on Power8 or Power9, moving to V7R6 will mean upgrading your hardware. But if you are already considering Power10, this release strengthens the argument.
You have probably been asked: What are we doing about MFA? Are we compliant? Now, you can answer with confidence, without needing to budget for more software or deal with integration complexity.
Want to understand your upgrade path?
We are already helping customers move to Power10 and advising on how to get the most out of IBM i V7R6.
Get in touch with your Account Manager or email sales@recarta.co.uk to start the conversation.
