NOTICE: Effective September 29, 2011 CUMC VPN will be restricted to only those Columbia affiliates that have a business need to access CUMC information assets. See below for full information.
VPN provides an encrypted connection or "tunnel" to the campus network when accessing on-campus resources from off-campus computers. It is required in order to provide appropriate security for data traveling across public or other networks.
To use VPN:
I. Collect Information for the desired resource
If you need to connect to a specific server, program or department/network drive, you must have information on how to configure the off site computer ahead of time. Since this can vary greatly, it is best to check with the IT staff that manages the resource. If you are not sure who this is please check with your Department Administrator or supervisor.
If you wish to connect to a network drive please read the About Network Drives page first so you are aware of any other requirements (login account, etc) that may be needed.
Instructions to look up a "path" for a network drive can be found in the links to the left under Finding a Network Drive's Path.
Some web based resources including E-Journals and PubMed do not require VPN; you will be prompted to log in with your UNI and password when accessing the web site from off campus.
Some intranet web sites do require VPN; they will simply not load in the web browser if you are accessing them from off campus. These include NYPH's Infonet and Resource 25 WebViewer.
Remote Desktop can only be used when connected via VPN. It cannot be used for direct access on its own, as it is a very insecure method of connecting back to the Columbia network. For more information see Columbia University's Remote Access Policy (25K) .
II. Set Up VPN
VPN configuration varies based on the type of system and operating system you will be using. Select the appropriate link below for your operating system; the same links also appear under the Installing VPN heading in the left navigation column of the VPN web pages.
Any operating systems or devices not listed above are not compatible with CUMC VPN. It is possible install both AnyConnect and the Cisco VPN (this is the older Cisco VPN client) if your computer is compatible with both.
III. Connect to VPN
Once VPN has been set up, you only need to start the program and log in using your Columbia UNI and password to connect again. A valid NYPH ID account and password can also be used.
Be sure to log off or disconnect and close any VPN program each time you are done using it.
Instructions on using VPN once it is installed can vary based on your device, operating system, and the VPN program you have installed. Please see the links in the left column under Using VPN for step by step instructions.
Access to CUMC VPN for non-Medical Center Affiliates
Effective September 29, 2011 CUMC VPN will be restricted to only those Columbia affiliates that have a business need to access CUMC information assets. This will not affect access to wireless, NYP accounts logging into VPN, or Columbia Morningside VPN; most CUMC users will notice no change in access.
Faculty, staff or contractors that require access to CUMC VPN must contact their department's Departmental Administrator (DA). The DA will be able to grant immediate access via the Delegated Identity Access (DIA) tool.
Current CUMC students who are not able to log in to CUMC VPN but are able to log in to Athens Wireless and/or Morningside VPN should contact the CUMC IT Service Desk at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357), option 5.
Non-CUMC affiliates that had previously been able to use CUMC VPN may lose access. If so they must contact their department's DA as noted above. Access cannot be automatically given to non-affiliates unless a department has granted explicit approval via DA entry in the DIA system.
VPN provides an encrypted connection or "tunnel" to the campus network when accessing on-campus resources from off-campus computers. It is required in order to provide appropriate security for data traveling across public or other networks.
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