Cisco and Shrew Soft Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to be decommissioned

25 Nov 2019

IT Services are decommissioning the old Cisco and Shrew Soft VPN services on Monday 9 December 2019

In November 2017, IT Services implemented a new VPN service called GlobalProtect (or OpenVPN for some versions of Linux) as part of our ongoing cyber security improvements.

As mentioned earlier this year via StaffNet and email, we intend to decommission the old Cisco and Shrew Soft VPN services on Monday 9 December 2019.

If you need to use a VPN, you must use GlobalProtect. GlobalProtect is installed by default on University managed computers, but you can find instructions on how to install GlobalProtect or OpenVPN on your own computers, on the IT Services website:

IT Services: VPN

In preparation for the decommissioning of the Cisco and Shrew Soft VPN service, we have taken steps to identify all current use-cases and to provide an alternative solution wherever possible.

We are aware that a number of users, when overseas, have been reliant on the Cisco VPN service to enable access to non-University online resources such as Google and Facebook. IT Services have taken advice from the University Directorate of Legal Affairs and the Information Governance Office. They have advised that it is not appropriate for the University to facilitate access to non-University online resources in countries where such access is restricted.

Do your students access Library electronic resources (e-books, e-journals and databases)?

VPN is no longer required for off-campus access to library resources.

If your students' only use for VPN is to access electronic library resources, they do not need to use GlobalProtect.

All electronic library resources can be accessed using the Library Access browser extension, Library Search, or by direct login on the publisher's website. Find out more:

If you have any questions about using GlobalProtect VPN, please contact the IT Support Centre:

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