The University of Texas VPN provides secure access to campus desktops, file shares, and other on-campus resources when you are working away from campus. It uses Cisco AnyConnect and requires Duo multi-factor authentication.
Use the UT VPN when you need secure access to campus-hosted services from off campus, especially remote desktops, certain file shares, VoIP soft clients, and other systems that are only reachable from the university network.
UT’s VPN is split-tunnel, which means Internet traffic that is not headed to campus-hosted services does not go through the VPN. If the services you use are already Internet-based, such as Workday, UT Box, Canvas, or Stache, you may not need to connect.
Use a UT-issued, professionally maintained computer whenever you handle highly confidential university data. This is the preferred and most secure remote-work method.
If UT-owned equipment is not available, a personal computer can be used only to connect to a campus workstation or approved VDI environment. University work should not be performed directly on the personal device.
Departments should still follow university security guidance and ensure end users understand the risks of remote work on personal devices. Where the standard methods above are not possible, departments may need a formal security exception.
For sensitive work, the strongest option is a UT-issued and professionally maintained laptop or workstation that meets university minimum security standards.
When a personal computer is used, it should act only as the path to a campus workstation or sanctioned VDI environment unless your department has an approved exception.
Remote systems should use strong passwords, up-to-date operating systems, current malware protection, and network restrictions that limit RDP or SSH access to approved VPN ranges. Use 1Password — free for all UT community members — to generate and securely store strong, unique passwords for every system you access remotely.
Start with the VPN portal and Duo knowledge base article if you need installation or authentication help. If your work involves sensitive data or a non-standard remote-work arrangement, review the university’s remote-work guidance and coordinate with your department IT support team.
