Case Study: Kindred Healthcare enhances security and reduces support effort with Microsoft Windows Server 2012 DirectAccess

Healthcare Provider Enhances Security, Reduces Support Effort with Upgrade

Kindred Healthcare, a major U.S. healthcare services provider with 76,000 employees, faced challenges ensuring its 3,500 remote computers received regular security updates. This vulnerability risked data breaches and compliance violations with federal regulations. The company also wanted to reduce the high cost and complexity of supporting its mobile workforce, which was heavily reliant on a cumbersome virtual private network (VPN) and security tokens.

Microsoft provided a solution by implementing its Windows Server 2012 operating system, utilizing the enhanced DirectAccess feature. This technology established a seamless, always-on connection for remote devices, eliminating the need for a traditional VPN. The results for Microsoft's customer were significant: a 35 percent reduction in remote access support calls, enhanced network security through automatic updates, conserved bandwidth, and a faster ability to integrate new business acquisitions by providing instant network connectivity.

Kindred Healthcare

James Crick

Infrastructure Services Manager