Hampshire County Council has introduced new security systems to improve collaboration with other local agencies such as the NHS, police and schools.
The authority installed a virtual private network using two-factor authentication technology to give thin-client access to email and back-office systems for 700 users.
The system from Juniper Networks allows secure links from the other regional agencies, providing protected access to sensitive and private information.
Jane Steadman, Hampshire’s IT networks manager, says a key challenge for the county is to encourage cross-boundary initiatives between authorities.
‘We are only at the beginning of requests from various departments for secure gateways to their particular management functions,’ she said.
‘The education department recently had a requirement for its administration staff to access school servers for the management of databases and school information. This will allow teachers who want to be able to work from home to access information on the school network.’
Internal systems at Hampshire are being modernised to implement egovernment programmes, providing an opportunity for the council to establish secure remote access to systems and information from home and other locations.
The network allows the IT team to retain operational control over end points such as PCs, laptops and PDAs that need to connect to the network remotely, says Steadman.
This is important for users who do not necessarily work directly for the council and for employees who wanted to use their computers to access the authority’s systems.
IT support staff will now have to make fewer site visits as they can provide home support.
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