Remote Access

"Remote access" refers to any access to any clinical information system (CIS) or other Alberta Health Services (AHS) information asset from outside AHS network locations, whether wired (Ethernet) or wireless. The protected AHS network is usually identified as "AHSRESTRICT"; if one is connected to this network, it is because they are connecting from within a location serviced by AHS.

External access can be from a remote clinical office, from home when on call, or from just about anywhere on the Internet. Additional security protections are required to ensure that only authorized individuals gain access to health system assets from outside health system environments. "Two factor" authentication is mandated; one factor is something you know (username and password), and the second factor is something you have (a "Token" displaying a constantly changing numeric code).

Security Tokens

Prescribers seeking external access must obtain an authorized security Token. This can be an actual "hard" physical device (RSA Token) or a "soft" application (the SecurID app, previously called RSA SecurID) running on one's smartphone (Apple iOS or Android).