CISCO AnyConnect

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the university’s security posture, Cisco AnyConnect VPN will be fully retired on July 31, 2026.  

This is the second phase of a planned, two-part transition: 

• Phase 1 (Completed) – AnyConnect was removed from all Howard-issued endpoints, effective end of May. 
• Phase 2 (Upcoming) – Effective July 31, 2026, AnyConnect access from personal devices will be discontinued university-wide. 

Why this change matters: This transition supports Howard University’s continued focus on strengthening security and reducing risk to university systems, data, and end users. By moving away from legacy VPN access, we are aligning with Zero Trust principles that verify user identity, device posture, and access context before granting permissions. 

What this means for you: If you use a personal device to remotely access Howard network resources, please consider the following options ahead of the sunset date: 

• Request a Howard-issued device through your department to maintain seamless access.
• If you already have a Howard-issued device, submit a request for Private Entra Access.

Support and Resources

• Full details, including the rationale for this transition and information on Private Access, are available on the ETS Portal Page – Modernizing Secure Access. 
• Departments needing a dedicated follow-up session outside of scheduled Q&As are welcome to reach out directly; we will prioritize a fast turnaround. 

We appreciate your partnership as we enhance security across the university in a measured, phased approach designed to minimize disruption. If you have any questions, please contact ETS-DevOps@howard.edu.