Your VPN Is Changing

If you use Cisco AnyConnect to access university systems remotely (such as shared drives, internal applications, or campus resources), please take a few minutes to review this important update.

An upcoming change may impact how you connect and work. Effective May 31, 2026, CISCO AnyConnect VPN will be officially retired and no longer supported. This transition is part of a broader strategic initiative to modernize our network security posture and align with industry-leading Zero Trust principles.

Sustaining an aging VPN infrastructure carries a growing security risk that is not acceptable for any institution, regardless of size and responsibility. Our community deserves a modern, resilient solution, and after more than a year of evaluation, planning, and hands-on testing, we are confident we have found one. This new solution aligns with industry best practices for secure access to university systems and sensitive data. 

Introducing Microsoft Entra Private Access
Our core project team has already begun piloting Microsoft Entra Private Access with a select group of early adopters, and the results have been promising.

Microsoft Entra Private Access is a next-generation, application-aware security solution built on Zero Trust principles. Rather than granting broad network access, it delivers precise, identity-driven connectivity to only the specific applications you need. This is a meaningfully stronger and smarter approach to securing university resources.

Full configuration and onboarding details are currently being finalized. Additional details will be shared as this initiative progresses in the coming weeks. A dedicated ServiceNow request form will also be made available for those who need to onboard. We will notify the community once this form is live.

Your Action Items 

• Remember the date — Cisco AnyConnect will be fully decommissioned on May 31, 2026. 
• Assess your needs — If your work requires secure VPN access tied to specific applications, this change will be relevant to you. 
• Visit our portal — Head to the ETS Projects Page to explore resources, FAQs, and guidance. 
• Stay tuned — Watch for a forthcoming ServiceNow request form to onboard to Microsoft Entra Private Access once it is available.

We know technology transitions can be impactful, especially mid-semester or mid-project. Our team has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure no one is left without a path forward. 

If you are unsure whether this affects you or if you have questions about your specific setup, please email us at ETS-DevOps@howard.edu. Thank you for your cooperation as we complete this important upgrade.