Microsoft Authenticator
Information about NHS CIS2 Authentication using Microsoft Authenticator.
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator provides an authentication mechanism, alongside an email address and password, that allows users to authenticate into NCRS.
Multifactor Authentication is a common standard and many users are already be familiar with it to log in to their NHS Mail accounts.
Convenient
- Enables secure authentication to national clinical information systems - without the need for a smartcard and reader
- Free App to download
Secure
Using NHS CIS2 Authentication and Microsoft Authenticator is more secure than username and password.
Reliable
NHS CIS2 Authentication is a platinum service, supported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
See our latest availability statistics.
Case study
Carers at Canterbury Care Home accessing NCRS pilot
The organisation and service
Canterbury Care homes have been delivering person-centred care since 2005, and currently operate three individual care homes in England and Scotland.
Each resident receives bespoke support to become as independent as possible and enjoy the next chapter of their lives to the full.
As part of wanting to improve the quality of the service they provide, carers at Canterbury Care Home wanted to remove the need to chase GPs and wait weeks for them to respond about a patient's medical history.
Moving to NHS CIS2 Authentication
Most Care Home staff had the Microsoft Authenticator app already installed on their personal phones. For those that didn't, they were able to easily download it from the Apple App store or Google Play store.
Care Home staff using business phones had the Microsoft Authenticator app installed for them by their local IT support.
The experience
With the introduction of accessing NCRS using NHS CIS2 Microsoft Authenticator they can now look up the information themselves, saving theirs and the GP's time and improving the level of care that they provide.
To not have to rely on a GP getting back, and to have 24/7 access to care records is incredibly useful.
Considerations for organisations providing IT Support
- Free app that many people have already
- No certificate renewals required
Microsoft Authenticator is currently enabled for NCRS, eRS and MESH
Microsoft Authenticator is currently being used to access national services by organisations across health and care settings.
Microsoft Authenticator is available now for all organisations to use. If you would like further information please contact the NHS England Identity and Access Management team at [email protected]
Procurement
No procurement is required - the Microsoft Authenticator App is free to download and install with minimal effort.
To use Microsoft Authenticator, the user's email address domain must be on the NHS CIS2 Authentication email domain whitelist.
Registering devices to users
To enable Microsoft Authenticator App for use, users need to request and complete an Authenticator Registration from a Registration Authority (RA).