Tuesday 17 May 2022 

Our new VPN makes remote working easier and more secure

Kia ora 

Over the last few months, the IT team has been working on the security of our systems and devices and addressing some of the frustrations felt by staff while working remotely.

As part of this work we have implemented a secure remote access portal called EMS-VPN, Enterprise Management Server – Virtual Private Network. If you have a Windows laptop and you don’t already have the existing VPN solution, please download the new EMS-VPN to help us to keep our devices, systems, and information secure.

Benefits of the EMS-VPN

The EMS-VPN will enable you to change your passwords remotely and will ensure that your devices automatically receive system and security patch updates when logged in to Unitec’s network off-campus. This will keep your Unitec device secure when you're working remotely. It will also allow you to change your password when you're off-campus, so you won't need to maintain two passwords.

Install the package

From today, all staff on windows-based laptops who are not already using the existing VPN solution can download the EMS-VPN package from the Nest.

Installing this on your Unitec device is simple. Just follow the instructions, and the IT helpdesk will be available to assist if you have any issues with the process.

This is not available for Mac devices, yet - our IT engineers are looking at alternative solutions to ensure our Mac fleet are also well protected. Note that Macs do already have features to protect them that Windows devices don't have.

Password changes and security updates without EMS-VPN

If you do not already have the existing VPN and don’t download this new EMS-VPN, password changes and security updates will still need to be carried out on campus.

I encourage you to download EMS-VPN to help us keep our devices and information safe, and to make password changes easier when working remotely. 
 

Stay safe.

Ngā mihi  

Hamish Martin
Director - Information Technology