This Virtual Private Network (VPN) Agreement is entered into between the User and Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, effective the date this agreement is executed by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College’s Information Technology Department (IT). The parties agree as follows:
ELIGIBILITY
Connecting to the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network is a privilege granted to the User per the Acceptable Use of Computers and Information Technology Policy. If the User does not abide by the terms, IT Management reserves the right to revoke the privilege granted herein. The policies referenced herein are aimed to protect the integrity of data belonging to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College and to ensure the data remains secure.
In the event of a security breach or threat, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College reserves the right, without prior notice to the User, to disable or disconnect the VPN connection of the User’s device.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS AND ACCEPTABLE USE
The purpose of this section is to provide guidelines for Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections to the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network.
This applies to all Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College employees, volunteers/directors, contractors, consultants, temporaries, and other workers including all personnel affiliated with third parties utilizing VPN’s to access the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network.
Approved Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College employees, volunteers/directors, and authorized third parties (customers, vendors, etc.) may utilize the benefit of a VPN on a Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College device, which is a “user managed” service. This means that the user is responsible for selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP), coordinating installation, and paying associated fees.
The following guidelines will also apply:
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It is the responsibility of employees or volunteer/directors, with VPN privileges, to ensure that unauthorized users are not allowed access to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College internal networks.
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VPN use is controlled using a multi-factor authentication paradigm.
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When actively connected to the corporate network, VPNs will force all traffic to and from the PC over the VPN tunnel; all other traffic will be dropped.
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VPN gateways will be set up and managed by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College IT.
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All computers connected to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College internal networks via VPN or any other technology must use up-to-date, anti-virus software applicable to that device or platform.
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VPN users will be automatically disconnected from Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College’s network after 15 minutes of inactivity. The user must then logon again to reconnect to the network. Pings or other artificial network processes are not to be used to keep the connection open.
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The VPN concentrator is limited to an absolute connection time of 10 hours.
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To ensure protection from viruses, as well as protection of member data, only Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College-owned devices will be granted VPN Access.
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Only IT-approved VPN clients may be used.
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By using VPN technology, users must understand that their machines are an extension of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College’s network. As such, they are subject to the same rules and regulations, as well as monitoring for compliance with this policy.
The User shall not remove sensitive information from the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network, attack Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College assets, or violate any of the security polices related to the subject matter of this agreement.
The User understands and agrees that their use of the VPN software is required as part of their employment at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College and is permitted to connect to internal information services in support of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College activities only. The User will safeguard the VPN access as well as its components software/password from any unauthorized use.
VPN will only be used on a Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College issued device. The Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College issued device is subject to scanning from the IT Department to check compliance with the contents of this Agreement.
SUPPORT
Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College will offer support for connectivity to the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network. Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College is not responsible for ISP outages that result in a failure of connectivity to the Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College network.
The User certifies that this Agreement has been read and has an understanding of the above conditions under which the User may be provided access to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College computer/information systems and further that the User understands and agrees to abide by them. The User also understands that limitations on disclosure of any information covered under this Agreement shall survive the modification or elimination of the User access to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College computer/information systems.
Created 9/26/25