A virtual private network (VPN) establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and the internet, providing a private tunnel for your data and communications. The IUP VPN provides users with secure access to the university’s network and allows IUP users the ability to access university resources while physically not on the IUP campuses.

Palo Alto GlobalProtect is the IUP VPN solution, allowing users to connect to the IUP campus networks and access many secured resources. GlobalProtect is a “client” software and must be installed on any computer or mobile device that needs to connect to the IUP VPN.

GlobalProtect uses the IUP Single-Sign-On (SSO) and Microsoft Authenticator for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security.

Be sure you are off campus when trying to connect to the VPN. You cannot connect to the VPN from on-campus (Indiana, Punxsutawney, Northpointe, Monroeville) sites.

Legacy VPN

On May 15, 2025, the Legacy VPN was decommissioned. IUP users will use GlobalProtect to make secure VPN connections.

  • You will no longer use the VPN icon from the sign-in screen on your off-campus computer. Once you have installed GlobalProtect on your IUP computer at your off-site location, simply use the Alt-Ctrl-Del and enter your IUP credentials. After logging in, you can connect to the VPN using the GlobalProtect application.

Installing the GlobalProtect VPN Client

Note: You cannot connect to the IUP VPN when you are connected to the IUP network. This includes all on-campus (Indiana, Punxsutawney, Northpointe, Monroeville) sites.

Please use the appropriate instructions for installing the GlobalProtect VPN client.


For IUP-owned computers: Installation is through the software management repositories from the Company Portal (Windows) or the Self-Service (Mac) apps.

  • Windows: Open the Company Portal app, located under the Start Menu, or you can do a search for the Company Portal in the Windows Search box. Once the Company Portal is open, please wait for the Recently Published Apps to populate. This may take a minute. When the apps are loaded, you can install the GlobalProtect application.

  • Mac OS: Open the Self-Service app (found in the Launchpad) on the MacOS. Look for the GlobalProtect client, then click to install the GlobalProtect client.


Personally-owned computers: Installation instructions will vary based on the type of device you are using. Download the appropriate version to install. 

**Please use the Company Portal above if you have an IUP-owned computer.

After clicking on the Download link, select the appropriate operating system of your computer (Windows or Mac). If you have a Windows-based computer, most will use the 64-bit version.

Download GlobalProtect


Smart Devices: Go to the device’s appropriate App Store and search for the GlobalProtect app. Download and install on your device.


For smart devices and personally owned computers, you will need to specify the portal address. When you open the app for the first time, you will need to enter the IUP Portal address for the VPN connection.

Enter the address: gp.vpn.iup.edu

Click connect. If prompted, select Allow VPN configurations on your device. Click Connect to complete the login process for connection to the VPN

If you have any questions, please log a ticket via ihelp.


Connecting to the VPN

Each time you need to use the VPN, open the GlobalProtect client and click the Connect button. 

When prompted, you will need to enter your IUP credentials, then complete the MFA authentication request.

Disconnection from the VPN

When you are done using the VPN connection, you will go back to the app on your computer or device to click disconnect.