KAUST Community,

Please find below the upcoming IT changes that may affect access to IT services. Kindly review the impact and follow the recommended actions to avoid any disruption.

1. KAUST VPN Client Upgrade

When: Starting Monday, 29 September 2025

Impact: The Cisco AnyConnect VPN client will be automatically upgraded to the new Cisco Secure Client. Once the update is applied, “AnyConnect” will no longer appear on KAUST laptops or desktops, and “Cisco Secure Client” will be visible instead.

Action required:

• No installation is needed; the update happens automatically the next time you connect to vpn.kaust.edu.sa.
• We recommend updating before traveling and testing your VPN connection to ensure uninterrupted access.

2. Renewal of SSL Certificate for Unified Communications

When: Friday, 26 September 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Impact:

• No impact to active calls made through physical IP Phones.
• Active calls on WebEx SoftPhone clients and Video Conferencing Endpoints will be disconnected momentarily.
• SSO login for WebEx SoftPhone and the IP Phone end user portal will not work during the maintenance; you may need to re-login.
• This may also affect Microsoft Teams and Zoom calls. If a call drops, please reinitiate the call. Disconnections may occur intermittently until the maintenance is complete.

3. Refraining from Upgrading to macOS Tahoe

Impact: If an operating system is marked as Testing, it is not officially supported by KAUST IT. Upgrading to macOS Tahoe is at your own risk. Applications and services may not be compatible or function properly, and KAUST IT cannot provide full support until the system becomes officially supported.

Action required: Please delay upgrading to macOS Tahoe until it becomes an officially supported operating system at KAUST. For current support status, see Operating Systems at KAUST.