NIU's Virtual Private Network (VPN) service allows current faculty, staff, and students to login and then send and receive data securely across public networks. Several enterprise applications at NIU, including PeopleSoft, Cascade, etc., require VPN access from off-campus. All NIU employees and students, however, are encouraged to use NIU's VPN service to access NIU data and applications whenever they are away from the campus network and especially when traveling. (See Information Security Guidelines for Travel).

1. After the change in network is detected, the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client performs Trusted Network Detection (due to Automatic VPN policy) to decide on whether connection should be established or not. After Trusted Network Detection is complete, the status text message is not updated even though the network is detected as trusted.
2. Open the AnyConnect Client, and where you see the Network written, right click on it. Click on “Connect only to current Network”. Cisco AnyConnect Client; Solution 5: Try an Alternate Connection. At times, the internet connection that you are using might have some restrictions or might not be working properly which is causing the issue.

How to use NIU's VPN Service (most common option)

Cisco Anyconnect Verify Your Network Connection Password

After clicking OK at the next screen, click the Cisco AnyConnect icon located at the lower-right corner. Note: You must have an internet connection. The Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility client will appear. Verify that the connection address is vpn.excelsior.edu and click Connect. Then enter your Excelsior College Username and RSA Passcode (4.

1. To download Cisco AnyConnect, you will need to click https://vpn.niu.edu and choose the Group for the access you require. Login with your NIU AccountID@mail.niu.edu and password. You will be required to verify your account before moving forward.
   • Most faculty and staff will already have this client on their NIU-managed desktop/laptop. Others will have the opportunity to download and install the client at this point.
2. From your device launch the Cisco AnyConnect client. At 'Ready to Connect', enter vpn.niu.edu and click Connect.
   

3. **You must select the group first. This box will appear behind the sign in page.
   When prompted for Group, choose the Group for the access you require. For general campus access please choose NIU_Split_Tunnel_VPN or NIU_Full_Tunnel_VPN.
   

4. Enter your NIU AccountID@mail.niu.edu then click next then enter your password click Sign in. You will be required to verify your account.
   
5. *NOTE: This will pop-up each time you login to the VPN no matter which option you choose.
   Click Yes or No or press ENTER
   
6. The AnyConnect client will then complete its connection.
7. To disconnect, open the active AnyConnect window and click to Disconnect.

How and Why to use NIU's Split Tunnel vs NIU's Full Tunnel

NIU_Split_Tunnel_VPN option is the least secure but should be used when:

• you trust the network you are on (e.g. your home network or a remote workplace) AND
• you must simultaneously connect to data, devices or services (e.g. printers, file shares, etc.) on the home/remote network and to data, devices or services on NIU's network.

What Is Cisco Anyconnect

NIU_Full_Tunnel_VPN is the most secure and should be used when:

• you are connecting to NIU's network from an unsecured location (e.g. local restaurant or coffee shop)
  • you will not be able to print to a wireless printer when connected to the Full Tunnel

Having Trouble?

Depending on your home network, you may not be able to connect to home devices when connected to VPN. This is especially true in 2 circumstances:

• You use an internal DNS system
• Your internal network uses 10.x.x.x

Workarounds include:

• Use a local hosts file
• Use 192.168 on home network

Cisco Anyconnect Connection Timeout

Do not use Firefox. Details about the browser issue below:

Cisco Anyconnect Connection Timed Out

• The newest Firefox Version 74.0, that was Released on March 10, 2020 is NOT supported on our current Cisco AnyConnect VPN.
• Older versions of Firefox on MAC OS have an issue with the Firefox Certificate Store. You will need to use a different browser.

Cisco Anyconnect Will Not Connect

If you are still unable to install the client or cannot successfully login, please submit an incident by clicking the red button to the left to Submit an Incident.