Hello, everyone.

I don’t have any *new* current threats to tell you about. That doesn’t mean we don’t have any threats, but it’s the same old ones that are recurring. These include the public health alerts, UTK account updates or warnings, etc. I do want to let you know about an upcoming change to our VPN, though.

Change to UT’s VPN

• Pulse Secure
  • As you already know, when you work remotely are you required to use the VPN to access Institute- and University-owned resources.
  • The purpose of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is to establish a secure digital connection that creates a tunnel protecting your privacy by encrypting the Institute’s data and masks your IP address.
  • The use of the VPN is critical to protecting the Institute and its data when not on the secure UT network.
  • For years we have been using Pulse Secure as the UT-approved VPN.
  • Recently Pulse Secure was purchased by Ivanti.
  • Pulse Secure will reach End-of-Life support this spring.
  • There will be a migration effort to move users to the appropriate Ivanti Secure Access Client.
  • Please note that the *only* versions that will be part of the migration effort will be version 22.x.
  • If you are still using Pulse Secure (with the green logo), please go to the OIT Software Distribution site, where you will authenticate with your NetID and password, then Duo.
  • Once you are logged in, look for and click “VPN” and you will get four choices of operating systems.
  • When you click the appropriate OS, you will get a set of instructions, to which you must check the box that you reviewed before you can download.
  • Once you install, you will see the red Ivanti logo.
  • When you click on the logo, the VPN will open for you and it should already be configured and ready to connect if you are replacing the older version of Pulse Secure., but if it’s not configure refer back to those instructions you had to read.
  • PLEASE make sure you do this by the end of March, but there is no time like the present, especially since this is so quick and easy.
  • And remember that if you don’t upgrade to the current supported version, there may be potential problems with it when the migration efforts take place.
  • Oh, and I can’t mention “VPN” without reminding you that if you travel internationally always check to see that the country you are visiting will allow the use of a VPN. (Feel free to contact me if you need more information!)

Thank you so much for your attention to security and for letting me know when there may be a new scam!

Sandy

Important Note: Thank you so much for sharing these e-newsletters with family, friends, clients, students, and anyone else who may benefit from the information. I would like to stress that you should keep your students in mind, as non-employee students will not get this information without someone sharing. If anyone else has an email group for students who are not employees of your department, please let me know that address and I can include it. I do this as a blind copy so student names and addresses will not show up!