Hello, everyone.

Today I have one current non-threat to share with you. Once again, I want to remind everyone that Windows 10 end of support is almost here. I also want to remind everyone again that you are required to use the VPN anytime you are working from any location that is not on the UT or SHIELD secure networks.

Current Non-Threat

• UT Employee Survey
  • It’s time for the University of Tennessee 2025 Engagement survey.
  • You should receive an email from McLean & Company <survey@mcleanco.com>.
  • The subject is Please Respond: University of Tennessee Employee Survey.
  • The survey is again being administered by McLean & Company on behalf of UT System.
  • On 09/18, UT system sent two emails about the survey, with the second one clarifying that only UT staff, not faculty, will receive this year’s survey.
  • The survey closes on 10/07/2025 at 11:45pm EDT.
  • The link provided is a personal link intended only for the recipient and should not be shared, as everyone receiving the email will have their own link.
  • As always, I recommend hovering over the link, right-clicking and choosing Copy Hyperlink, then pasting the link into your browser.

Important Reminders

• Windows 10 End-of-Support Is Almost Here
  • Windows 10 is officially reaching end of support on October 14, 2025.
  • After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, technical assistance, or security patches for Windows 10.
  • Without these updates and security patches, your computer will become more vulnerable to all security threats.
  • If you are using a PC, to find which version of Windows you are using, do the following:
    • Go to the Search box on the taskbar (right beside of the Start button) at the bottom of your screen.
    • In the box, type winver and click Enter.
    • A window will then show what version you are running.
  • If you are still running Windows 10 you need to upgrade to Windows 11 soon.
  • If you are with the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, the CVM Support group will help you will this.
  • If you are with UT Extension or UT AgResearch and Education Centers across the state, your regional IT staff will help you with this.
  • If you are located on the Knoxville campus or one of the Knoxville-area locations that gets assistance from the UTK OIT Desktop Support, please call (865) 974-9900 to request help.
  • This upgrade must be done before 10/14/2025.
  • If you have a computer that is out of warranty, it is likely too old to allow Windows 11 to be installed.

• VPN Requirement Reminder
  • Any time you are working remotely, whether from home or when traveling, you must use the VPN.
  • In addition, it is absolutely required of the counties who are not part of the SHIELD network.
  • Our former VPN, Pulse Secure, really slowed some things down but the new VPN, Ivanti Secure Access Client, is so much better.
  • Please remember that the VPN is establishing a secure connection that creates a tunnel protecting your privacy by encrypting the Institute’s data when not on our secure UT network.
  • And if you are traveling internationally, always check to make sure the country you are visiting will allow the use of a VPN. (If a VPN is not allowed in that country, please do not access UTIA systems or data.)

Thank you for everything you do to protect the Institute and its data, students, employees, clients, and yourself. Please let me know if you ever have any questions or concerns.

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 has an email group for students who are not employees of your department, please let me know what that address is, and I can include it. I do this as a blind copy so student names and addresses will not show up!