Who: Faculty and staff who use the Cisco Secure Client VPN for GCN-VPN remote access
What: Firewall upgrade and certificate-based authentication will be enabled
When: Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
What is Happening?
On Monday, May 12, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., Information Technology Services (ITS) will:
- Upgrade the firewall hardware that supports GCN-VPN
- Enable certificate-based authentication for GCN-VPN connections
This change makes GCN-VPN authentication work the same way as other GCN network connections on campus. During the two-hour upgrade window, VPN service may be intermittent or unavailable.
Action Required for Windows users
If you are a full-time remote employee who:
- Has not connected your machine to the wired or wireless GCN network while onsite,
- And has not connected to the GCN-VPN for at least two hours while actively using the device since September 30, 2024,
- But plans to use GCN-VPN in the future,
You must connect to GCN-VPN for at least 2 hours before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 11
This ensures your device receives the necessary group policy that installs the required certificate for GCN authentication.
Note: macOS users do not need to take any action. The required certificate is already installed on macOS systems regardless of past GCN connectivity.
Need Help?
Find answers online or contact 6-TECH:
- Search for tech solutions: 6-TECH.uncg.edu
- Phone: (336) 256-TECH (8324)
- Email: 6-TECH@uncg.edu
- Submit a ticket: 6-TECH Online Portal
