future-proofing strategies
“The WatchGuard security appliances have allowed us to
achieve the financial savings which conversion from leased
line to VPN had indicated were possible. The solution has
extended the network capabilities to include mobile users in
a way that was not previously possible.”
with increased productivity, are some of the
other benefits.
Mr McKay again: “Agile working across
Northern Lincolnshire has been a very high
priority, not just for the medical emergencies
but for a complete spectrum of clinical and
corporate applications where staff do not have
access to a fixed network node.
“We chose to use the MU-VPN solution be-
cause of its security, user friendliness and the
fact that it offered true integration to our infra-
structure. Secure connections are established
before the user logs on. It means that these means that we have the ability to handle com-
are not just standalone devices with remote plex telemedicine applications which can in-
access, but secure, extensions of our network.” volve large medical imaging files”
Remote user access Had solution met objectives?
From a network perspective, Northern Lincoln- Darren McKay was satisfied that the systems
shire has put in place a totally virtual infra- implemented at Northern Lincolnshire had
structure across more than 100 sites, where met the three key objectives of the brief - pro-
fixed and wireless devices are treated in the viding lower-cost of operation, high reliabil-
same way. Remote users have the same ac- ity and security which ensures the confiden-
cess to authorised data and applications as if tiality and constant availability of data. “The
they were logged into a desktop PC. WatchGuard security appliances have allowed
No less important is that the IT team can us to achieve the financial savings which con-
manage all fixed and mobile devices centrally. version from leased line to VPN had indicated
Radius servers handle all authentication, were possible.
whilst the WatchGuard appliances create se- “The solution has extended the network ca-
cure encrypted VPN mobile connections to pabilities to include mobile users in a way
ensure the data is always protected. that was not previously possible. That proc-
The conversion from fixed line to IP network ess has delivered high levels of unified threat
has been achieved while increasing the se- protection in an environment where perform-
curity afforded to patient and other personal ance and reliability have both been increased.
data, but what have been the implications for “And at a time when operating costs are un-
performance over the network? der the microscope across the NHS, the easy
Accepted wisdom would suggest that the installation, centralised administration and
greater the number of security processes – in- extended network management to mobile de-
cluding encryption - involved before data can vices has taken the burden off the IT team.
be passed over a network, the lower the Future-proofing is perhaps an over-used
throughput. word, but WatchGuard has made it possible to
Mr McKay did not accept that argument, implement new policies across all fixed or
pointing to the increased performance in the mobile devices in the network at a single key-
delivery of information over the network. “It stroke.” §
Northern Lincolnshire has a virtual infrastructure across more than 100 sites, where remote users
have the same access to authorised data and applications as if they were logged into a desktop PC.
The Informed Executive
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