System and method for unattended computer system access

A computer implemented method for providing secure access to a remote computer system, the remote computer system being arranged to require local authentication to boot an operating system, the method comprising:

• causing activation of the remote computer system and causing execution of a client module at the remote computer system prior to boot of an operating system at the remote computer system;
• receiving an authentication message from the remote computer system, the authentication message including a Session ID for the client module;
• authenticating the authentication message and providing access data for the remote computer system to said client module over the network upon authentication of the authentication message,
• the access data being arranged to cause the client module to complete local authentication and boot the operating system of the remote computer system.

A patch management system for patching of a remote computer system, the remote computer system being arranged to require local authentication to boot an operating system, the patch management system comprising an authentication system and a client module, wherein:

• the patch management system is arranged to trigger activation of the remote computer system;
• the client module is arranged to be executed on the remote computer system prior to booting of the operating system remote computer system and is arranged upon execution to obtain access data over a network from the authentication system for access to the computer system and to use said access data to perform said local authentication and boot said operating system;
• the authentication system being arranged to said store access data for the computer system in a data repository and being responsive to provide said access data to said client module over the network upon authentication of a request from the client module,
• upon booting of the operating system using the access data, the patch management system being arranged to patch the remote computer system and deactivate the computer system.