IT Alerts

The Information Technology Department follows a standard weekly change window from Thursday at 5:00 PM to Saturday at 8:00 PM. During this period, we carry out essential maintenance activities—including updates, upgrades, and system improvements—to keep KAUST’s digital services running securely and efficiently.

While every effort is made to minimize disruptions, some services may experience temporary slowdowns, intermittent issues, or brief outages during these maintenance windows.

Below, you’ll find a record of official IT Service Alerts shared with the KAUST community. These are also delivered directly to your KAUST email.

 

Current and Recent Alerts

Below are the most recent IT alerts, including outages, service restorations, and scheduled maintenance.

05 October, 2025

IT Alert – KAUST Applications Currently Inaccessible

Access to KAUST applications that require Single Sign-On (SSO) is currently unavailable. IT teams are working to restore access as quickly as possible.

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02 October, 2025

Planned Maintenance - SAP System Update and Palo Alto Firewall Upgrade

Planned maintenance will take place on Thursday, 2 October 2025, affecting selected SAP services and causing a brief internet interruption during the Palo Alto firewall upgrade. Please review the details and plan your work accordingly.

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29 September, 2025

IT Alert – Task Center Approvals Resolved

Normal access to Task Center approvals on the KAUST Portal has now been restored. You may resume approving requests directly in Task Center.

Read more

26 September, 2025

IT Alert – Task Center Approvals Impacted

Some approvals in Task Center are currently impacted. Our IT teams are working to restore the service as soon as possible.

Read more

 

About IT Alerts and the Change Advisory Board (CAB)

The Change Advisory Board (CAB) is a cross-functional group within KAUST IT that reviews, assesses, and schedules proposed IT changes to ensure service reliability and reduce risk. Each IT team nominates a representative to CAB, while the CAB Chair is appointed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

To learn more about the role of CAB and view related resources, visit the CAB Information Page.

For urgent or high-impact changes, the Emergency Change Advisory Board (ECAB) may be activated. ECAB ensures timely decisions for critical changes while safeguarding service stability.

How Are Alerts Issued?

All IT changes are reviewed under the Change Management process. If communication is needed, an IT Alert is published and shared with the KAUST Community.

  • Scheduled maintenance or planned service changes
  • Changes impacting specific groups (e.g., faculty, students, building tenants)
  • Unplanned outages or urgent service issues

 

Alerts Archive

Browse previous IT alerts, including past outages and scheduled maintenance.

05 October, 2025

IT Alert – KAUST Applications Currently Inaccessible

Access to KAUST applications that require Single Sign-On (SSO) is currently unavailable. IT teams are working to restore access as quickly as possible.

Read more

02 October, 2025

Planned Maintenance - SAP System Update and Palo Alto Firewall Upgrade

Planned maintenance will take place on Thursday, 2 October 2025, affecting selected SAP services and causing a brief internet interruption during the Palo Alto firewall upgrade. Please review the details and plan your work accordingly.

Read more

29 September, 2025

IT Alert – Task Center Approvals Resolved

Normal access to Task Center approvals on the KAUST Portal has now been restored. You may resume approving requests directly in Task Center.

Read more

26 September, 2025

IT Alert – Task Center Approvals Impacted

Some approvals in Task Center are currently impacted. Our IT teams are working to restore the service as soon as possible.

Read more

25 September, 2025

IT Alert – Conference Room Booking Service Restoration

Normal access to the Conference Room Booking service on the KAUST Portal has been restored.

Read more

25 September, 2025

IT Alert – Conference Room Booking Service Degradation

The Conference Room Booking service on the KAUST Portal is currently unavailable. Our IT teams are working to restore the service as soon as possible.

Read more

25 September, 2025

Planned Maintenance - KAUST VPN Client Upgrade, Renewal of SSL Certificate for Unified Communications, and macOS Tahoe Upgrade Warning

KAUST IT is upgrading the VPN client from Cisco AnyConnect to Cisco Secure Client starting 29 September 2025. A Unified Communications SSL certificate renewal will also take place on 26 September, causing brief disruptions for WebEx SoftPhone, video conferencing, Teams, and Zoom. Community members are also advised not to upgrade to macOS Tahoe, as it is still in testing and not officially supported.

Read more

23 September, 2025

Service Restored - KAUST Portal Services Restored

Normal access to the KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa) has now been restored. You may resume normal operations on the KAUST Portal and its applications.

Read more

23 September, 2025

IT Alert – KAUST Portal Service Degradation

SAP is currently experiencing a degradation in their cloud services that is impacting several customers, including KAUST. As a result, the KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa) is affected. Applications accessed through the portal may be slower than usual or temporarily unavailable.

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18 September, 2025

Planned Maintenance - Campus Network Upgrade, Wired Network Optimization in Campus Buildings, and Application License Server Maintenance

Several IT maintenance activities are scheduled, including a campus network upgrade, application license server maintenance, and upcoming building-specific network upgrades. Expect short service interruptions, please review the details and plan ahead to avoid disruptions.

Read more

11 September, 2025

Planned Maintenance - Uni-Fi Wireless Network

To keep your wireless service running smoothly, KAUST IT will carry out maintenance on the Uni-Fi wireless network on Thursday, 11 September 2025, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in Buildings 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, and Suliman S. Olayan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (SSOIEI Building).

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22 August, 2025

Service Restored – KAUST Procurement System (SAP ARIBA)

Services for the KAUST Procurement System (SAP ARIBA) have been restored and are now stable.

Read more

21 August, 2025

Planned Maintenance - KAUST Mediasite Application

SAP systems may experience brief slowness on August 3. Please review the details and plan accordingly to minimize disruption.

Read more

20 August, 2025

Service Update – KAUST Portal and Procurement System (SAP ARIBA)

All services on the KAUST Portal have been restored and are fully available, with the exception of the KAUST Procurement System (SAP ARIBA).

Read more

20 August, 2025

Service Disruption: KAUST Portal

All services accessed through the KAUST Portal are currently unavailable.

Read more

20 August, 2025

Service Disruption – KAUST Procurement System (SAP ARIBA)

We are currently experiencing a service disruption affecting the KAUST Procurement System (SAP ARIBA).

Read more

16 August, 2025

Emergency Upgrade – Network and Internet Services Interruption in Some Residential Areas

KAUST IT will be performing an emergency upgrade to network services affecting some residential areas tonight, Saturday, August 16, at 12:00 AM (midnight).

Read more

15 August, 2025

Service Stabilized – KAUST Portal

The intermittent access issues affecting the KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa) have been stabilized. All services within the Portal are now operating normally.

Read more

14 August, 2025

Intermittent Access Issues: KAUST Portal

We are currently experiencing intermittent access issues affecting the KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa). All services within the Portal may be impacted.

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14 August, 2025

Service Restored – Mobily Business Line Roaming Bundle Activation via SMS

The issue affecting Mobily business lines has been resolved. You can now once again activate data roaming bundles by sending the appropriate code via SMS to 901.

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14 August, 2025

Connectivity Restored in Campus Residential Areas

Network connectivity has now been restored in the affected residential areas. Both wired and wireless network services are back online.

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14 August, 2025

Network Connectivity Issues in Residential Areas

We are currently experiencing network connectivity issues affecting both wired and wireless services in some residential areas on campus. Impacted homes may be unable to connect to the KAUST Network.

Read more

31 July, 2025

Planned Maintenance - KAUST Systems Maintenance

SAP systems may experience brief slowness on August 3. Please review the details and plan accordingly to minimize disruption.

Read more

29 July, 2025

Reminder: KAUST Visitors Management System (VMS) Maintenance – July 29–30

The KAUST Visitors Management System (VMS) will be offline tonight from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Gate delays expected.

Read more

29 July, 2025

Service Restored – Task Center and Inbox on KAUST Portal

The Task Center and Inbox services on the KAUST Portal have now been fully restored.

Read more

29 July, 2025

Task Center and Inbox Temporarily Unavailable on KAUST Portal

Task Center and Inbox services on the KAUST Portal are currently unavailable.

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24 July, 2025

Planned Maintenance - KAUST Visitors Management System (VMS), Software Application License Server Maintenance, Network Switch Upgrade in Residential Areas, and SAP Systems Maintenance

This week’s IT maintenance includes scheduled downtime for the Visitors Management System (VMS) from July 29 to 30, license server maintenance affecting key applications on July 24 to 25, and a network switch upgrade in residential areas from July 28 to 31 that may cause a brief 10 to 15 minute outage. Additionally, SAP systems may experience brief slowness on July 20. Please review the details and plan accordingly to minimize disruption.

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23 July, 2025

Connectivity Restored in Campus Residential Areas

Network connectivity has now been restored in the affected residential areas. Both wired and wireless network services are back online.

Read more

22 July, 2025

Network Connectivity Issues in Residential Areas

We are currently experiencing network connectivity issues affecting both wired and wireless services in some residential areas on campus. Impacted homes may be unable to connect to the KAUST Network.

Read more

21 July, 2025

Mobily Business Line Data Roaming Activation Issue

Mobily is facing a nationwide issue preventing activation or deactivation of roaming and data packages via SMS (901) for all business lines, including KAUST. Until resolved, users should contact KAUST IT via phone, in person, or through the VITA chatbot for assistance. KAUST IT is monitoring the situation and will provide updates.

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17 July, 2025

Planned Maintenance - Software application server and systems maintenance

Scheduled maintenance will affect licensed software access on 24–25 July, and SAP-related systems may experience brief slowness on 20 July. Please review the impact and recommended actions to avoid service interruptions.

Read more

14 July, 2025

Service Restored - KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa)

The KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa) service has been fully restored, after the brief service degradation communicated earlier this afternoon.

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14 July, 2025

Service Degradation - KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa)

We are currently experiencing a service degradation affecting the KAUST Portal (portal.kaust.edu.sa). You may be unable to access the site at this time.

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10 July, 2025

Planned Maintenance – VMS System Update – No Impact Expected for Gate Access

KAUST IT will perform planned maintenance that includes a routine security update to the system supporting the Visitor Management System (VMS). Gate access and campus operations will not be affected.

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19 June, 2025

IT Maintenance - Monthly Microsoft Updates - June 2025

KAUST IT will apply Microsoft’s June 2025 security updates as part of routine maintenance. You may be prompted to restart your computer to complete the update.

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20 June, 2025

Phishing Email Alert - [EXTERNAL] Turki Almadani shared ‘edamasolutions

KAUST IT and Information Security contained a phishing attack sent on 16 June 2025. Affected accounts were secured, and community members are advised to reset their password if they interacted with the email.

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26 June, 2025

Unplanned Outage/Service Degradation - HR, Finance, and Administrative Systems

Several KAUST systems are currently experiencing intermittent outages, including HR, Finance, and Administrative services. Our IT team is investigating with SAP. Updates will be shared as available.

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26 June, 2025

Planned Maintenance – Wireless Authentication Certificate Renewal and KAUST Systems Maintenance

KAUST IT will perform planned maintenance that includes renewing the wireless authentication certificate and updating core systems. A prompt to accept the new Wi-Fi certificate may appear when connecting to iCampus, Uni-Fi, or eduroam. Several administrative systems, such as HR, Finance, and IT services, will also be temporarily unavailable. It is recommended to save work and plan accordingly to avoid disruption.

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26 June, 2025

Resolved Incident - HR, Finance, and Administrative Systems

The earlier issue causing intermittent outages across several KAUST systems has been resolved. All affected services are now fully operational.

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