Our take: Georgia Tech’s official VPN is GlobalProtect (by Palo Alto Networks), accessed at vpn.gatech.edu. This is an important correction: Georgia Tech discontinued its previous Cisco AnyConnect VPN service in 2022, and GlobalProtect has been the current, official solution since. If you’ve seen instructions referencing Cisco AnyConnect for Georgia Tech specifically (including a previous version of this page), that’s outdated — GlobalProtect is what you actually need to install today.
A Note on How This Guide Was Put Together
The previous version of this page gave setup instructions for Cisco AnyConnect and included a fabricated speed-testing methodology and benchmark tables. Both problems are fixed here: the technical instructions now reflect Georgia Tech’s actual current VPN client (GlobalProtect), and the fabricated speed/security-test numbers have been removed rather than replaced with different invented figures.
Why You Need It
Off-campus access to several real Georgia Tech systems requires the VPN, including:
- PACE (Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment) computing clusters
- BuzzPort for certain FERPA-protected student data and internal systems
- Licensed software and library database access restricted to Georgia Tech’s IP range
These systems check that your connection comes from Georgia Tech’s own network range — a commercial VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.) will not grant access to these resources, since it assigns you an IP address outside Georgia Tech’s range entirely. For campus resource access, you need the official GaTech VPN specifically; a commercial VPN serves a different purpose (general personal privacy) and can be used alongside it, not instead of it.
How to Set Up GlobalProtect
- Go to vpn.gatech.edu in your browser and log in with your Georgia Tech credentials, completing Duo two-factor authentication when prompted.
- Download the GlobalProtect client for your operating system from the page provided after login.
- Install the client and launch it.
- Enter vpn.gatech.edu as the portal address if not already pre-filled.
- Log in with your GT credentials and approve the Duo authentication prompt on your phone.
- Once connected, GlobalProtect will show an active connection status.
For the most current, detailed, step-by-step instructions (which can change as GT’s IT services update the service), refer directly to Georgia Tech’s own official knowledge base article (KB0026837) via oit.gatech.edu or the GT service portal, rather than relying solely on any third-party guide, including this one — official university documentation is always the authoritative source for your school’s own IT services.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming a commercial VPN can access GT resources. It can’t — PACE, certain BuzzPort data, and licensed software specifically check for a Georgia Tech IP address, which only the official GlobalProtect VPN provides.
- Looking for “Cisco AnyConnect” instructions. Georgia Tech discontinued this service in 2022. If you find setup guides (including old cached content) referencing AnyConnect for GT specifically, they’re outdated — use GlobalProtect instead.
- Missing the Duo prompt. Like most university VPN systems, Georgia Tech’s VPN requires two-factor authentication via Duo, and the login attempt will time out if you don’t approve the prompt promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia Tech still use Cisco AnyConnect for VPN?
No — Georgia Tech discontinued Cisco AnyConnect in 2022 and moved to GlobalProtect (Palo Alto Networks) as its official VPN solution, still accessed at vpn.gatech.edu.
Can I use a commercial VPN like NordVPN to access Georgia Tech resources?
No. Systems like PACE and certain BuzzPort data specifically require a Georgia Tech IP address, which only the official GlobalProtect VPN provides. A commercial VPN is useful for general personal privacy but won’t grant access to GT-restricted systems.
Where can I find official, current setup instructions?
Georgia Tech’s own IT services knowledge base (accessible via oit.gatech.edu or the GT service portal) is the authoritative source, since it’s updated directly by the university when the service changes — more reliable than any third-party guide for the exact current steps.
Final Verdict
Georgia Tech’s VPN is GlobalProtect, not Cisco AnyConnect — an important, practical correction from the previous version of this page. For campus resource access, use the official service via vpn.gatech.edu with Duo authentication; for general personal privacy beyond campus resources, a separate commercial VPN can be used alongside it.