Deadline to Switch to Northwestern’s Modernized eduroam Sign-in Approaching

The next phase of the Data Network Authentication Project, designed to improve the security and efficiency of network authentication, is underway. Users will no longer connect to the University’s primary Wi-Fi network using user name and password credentials. All devices connecting to Northwestern’s eduroam network will need to use the new certificate-based, device-specific authentication process to continue accessing the network after June 24. Technology leaders across the University are implementing the necessary updates to managed machines, while users will need to proactively apply the change to their personal devices.

Most Northwestern-owned and managed devices have already been updated to the new certificate-based authentication process, and the remainder across schools and units have a target completion date well before the change deadline. Users can follow the steps in this Knowledge Base article to check their Northwestern-managed devices and confirm whether their device has already received the new configuration. Please contact your local technology teams with any questions about your managed device.

Users connecting personal devices, including laptops, tablets, phones, smartwatches, and other mobile devices, must follow the configuration instructions in the IT Knowledge Base to install an authentication certificate on each device they wish to use to connect to the network. Once users install the authentication certificate, their devices will automatically be allowed to connect to eduroam for five years.

Beginning in mid-May, Northwestern IT will send a series of direct emails to users who still use the credential-based process to connect any of their devices to the eduroam network. Users may receive multiple messages until all their connected devices authenticate using the new authentication process.

After June 24, the username-and-password-based authentication process for connecting to Northwestern’s eduroam network will end.

The IT Service Desk is available to support users who need help configuring their devices. Contact the IT Service Desk via email at consultant@northwestern.edu or by calling 847-491-4357 (1-HELP).