Category: Technology and Security

On Monday, April 20, all WSU-managed Windows computers will automatically receive a Secure Boot certificate update.

This update replaces expiring security certificates and helps protect your device during startup. Most users will only need to restart their computer if prompted to complete the update.

To learn more about the Secure Boot update including troubleshooting steps for any errors that may occur, visit the Secure Boot Certificate Update Guide.

Users who experience issues they cannot resolve should submit a support ticket for additional assistance or contact the Technology Help Desk at 316-978-4357 (option 1).

Wichita State’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides secure, encrypted access to WSU computing resources when you’re working remotely.

To improve consistency and support, the VPN for Mac users is being updated. Both Mac and Windows users will connect through the same VPN portal: vpn-emp.wichita.edu.

The existing Mac VPN portal vpn-mac.wichita.edu will be discontinued on April 30. After this date, connections using the old Mac VPN will no longer work.

What Mac users need to do:

Because of this update, Mac users will need to update their VPN settings by April 30:

• Remove or modify the previous Mac VPN configuration
• Add vpn-emp.wichita.edu in GlobalProtect on your Mac

Follow these step‑by‑step instructions or visit wichita.edu/vpn for additional information.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu

Information Technology Services (ITS) is pleased to announce an expansion of browser support for Enterprise Single Sign‑On (SSO) on ITS‑managed Windows devices.

Beginning Tuesday, April 7, Google Chrome will join Microsoft Edge as a supported browser for Enterprise SSO on ITS‑managed Windows computers.

This enhancement allows your Windows login credentials to securely pass through to most WSU‑owned applications, letting you:

• Sign in once using your Windows credentials
• Use your device as a second authentication factor
• Avoid repeated logins and most DUO prompts

This option is currently only available on ITS-managed Windows devices but will be coming to ITS-managed Macs later this year.

Reminder:

• Personal computers and mobile devices will still require authentication using the DUO app
• Remote Desktop (RDP) access will continue to require DUO for all users

This update improves both security and convenience, reducing sign‑in steps while maintaining strong authentication for university systems.

For any questions or concerns, contact the ITS HelpDesk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu. 

As part of on-going efforts to maintain secure IT systems at Wichita State, on March 10, Information Technology Services (ITS) will be applying a number of new settings to WSU-owned Windows computers.

These settings will disable older, less secure protocols, enforce higher levels of encryption on the campus network and help to reduce malware infections. These setting will not affect functionality, and most users will not notice anything different in daily use.

The main difference that users will notice is a change when logging into their computers. Users will now be required to use Ctrl+Alt+Delete when logging on.

If you experience any other issues, contact the ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu

A small update has been made to the Central Authentication Service (CAS) login page. CAS is the system used to log into many WSU services, such as myWSU and Blackboard, with just one set of credentials.

• What’s changing? A usage agreement will now appear directly below the login box to help users better understand the terms of access when signing in.
• No impact to functionality: This update does not affect the login process or any other functionality. Users will continue to log in as usual.
• Planned release: This update is scheduled to be deployed on Monday, Aug. 11.

Thank you for your support as we continue to improve clarity and transparency.

For questions or concerns, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 316-978-HELP (4357) or helpdesk@wichita.edu.

As the new semester begins, WSU’s Information Technology Services (ITS) would like to remind you of the best way to reach ITS Client services for assistance with your computer and technology needs.

To access various technology help tickets, go to wichita.edu/desktoptickets. If you have a university-owned computer, an icon will have also been added to your computer titled “computer support ticket” that will take you to this site. On this site, you will have squares presenting various options for ticket types.

• For help with passwords, general software help and technical questions that can be solved over the phone, select “Contact the Helpdesk.”
• For help fixing an issue with your computer or accessories, select “Request computer repair.”
• For installation of new software, setup of new computers or configuration changes, select “Request computer setup and software installation.”
• For quotes for new software your department would like to purchase, select “Request a quote for software.”
• For quotes for new computer hardware, select “Request a quote for computer hardware.”

To speak to someone immediately, contact the Helpdesk at 316-978-4357 and select option 1.

Information Security is pleased to announce that, starting July 9, WSU passwords will no longer expire. This change aligns with the National Institutes of Technology (NIST 800-63b) standards and guidelines.

What this means for you:

• You will no longer be required to change your password every 180 days.
• Password updates will only be necessary if you forget your password or your WSU account is compromised or suspected of being compromised.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu.

Up to date applications keep your devices more secure. To help keep Mac computers up to date, ITS will be deploying a solution Tuesday, June 17 that will automatically update applications on Wichita State owned Macs.

When an application needs to be updated, an App Auto Patch window will pop up on your Mac to begin the update. Clicking continue will close and update the application. Please ensure you save your data before clicking continue. The update may be deferred if you cannot close the application at that time.

If you have any issues or concerns, contact the helpdesk at 316-978-4357 option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu.

Duo Remote Desktop Connections currently have a time-out process of two hours when not being actively utilized.

When a Remote Desktop Connection session is idle or disconnected for two hours, the remote session will be automatically closed. When this happens, the user is automatically logged out of the remote computer and all applications on the device being remoted into are closed. The process is intentional since inactive remote desktop sessions can be vulnerable to exploitation. The university has implemented this measure to reduce the risk as defined by the National Institution of Standards and Technology (NIST) and required by the State of Kansas and Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR).

For best practice, make sure to save all files prior to disconnecting from any Remote Desktop Connection to prevent losing any data.

If you have any questions, contact ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu.

Beginning on March 10, multifactor authentication (MFA) will be required for utilizing Remote Desktop services on university-owned Windows devices. Once the required MFA update is pushed to the devices, it may take up to 90 minutes for it to finalize. A reboot of the computer is needed for Duo Authentication to take effect after the update is completed.

What this means for you? In order to access a university owned Windows device using Remote Desktop from another device, you will be required to Duo Authenticate when logging in.

Why is this being required? Information Security is requiring this additional step to enhanced security and meet compliance regulations.

Note: The Remote Desktop session will time out after two hours of inactivity.

For questions, please contact ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1 or helpdesk@wichita.edu.