California Department of Technology Services Offers Secure Remote Access

The California Department of Technology Services today announced the release of its Server Based Computing Service offering that allows customers to remotely access their office PC environment through the Internet without requiring the installation of special network software, such as Virtual Private Network applications.

"Server based computing is an important ingredient in our efforts to reduce costs and improve service by standardizing on proven technologies and leveraging the technology resources available at the Department of Technology Services," said State CIO Clark Kelso.

This service offering allows for the centralized hosting, management and maintenance of customers' applications by using state-of-the-art technology to provide secure access to e-mail, network and mainframe files from any remote location. The server-based computing environment provides users the same look and consistency in PC office tools, access to their mainframe and network files, and the ability to print using an Internet Protocol address from remote locations.

Security is provided via two-factor authentication -- users log on by using a combination of their established user IDs and passwords, plus a remote device which provides a random password at the push of a button.