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Updating NHS Identity Agent from 1 November

October 28, 2021

On Monday 1 November, the IT team will be deploying an update to the NHS Identity Agent that is currently deployed on computers across our Trust. The NHS Identity Agent is used by clinical systems to authenticate users and allows you to login to systems using your smartcard. This is a requirement from NHS Digital to ensure the Trust is compliant with the latest release for security reasons.

The update process will begin on Monday 1 November and be steadily pushed out to computers across our organisation over a period 10 days as per rollout schedule below. The update should automatically begin and once complete will require colleagues to reboot their machine before it can be fully applied.

Proposed rollout schedule:

  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______0 – deployed on Monday 1 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______1 – deployed on Monday 1 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______2 – deployed on Wednesday 3 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______3 – deployed on Wednesday 3 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______4 – deployed on Friday 5 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______5 – deployed on Friday 5 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______6 – deployed on Monday 8 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______7 – deployed on Monday 8 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______8 – deployed on Wednesday 10 November
  • Machines with Name like SWBH_______9 – deployed on Wednesday 10 November

Unity and supporting systems will remain online and accessible throughout this update, however colleagues will need to be prepared to reboot their computers when prompted.

To allow the update to push out to devices overnight, please ensure you do not switch the power off at the plug, simply logout of your account when you leave.

For laptop users based in the office the update will take effect as normal when logged on. 

For laptop users that are working remotely continue to connect via Pulse Secure VPN for the update to take effect.

The update will be closely monitored by the IT team and colleagues are asked to ensure they report any other issues they experience during this upgrade to the IT service desk. The service desk team are available on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050.