eduVPN is a service designed for students, faculty, and researchers who can easily access trusted networks (global research networks) using their IDEM credentials provided by their institution, avoiding the need to connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots.

A VPN is especially useful for the education and research community and offers several advantages.

Protection on public and unsecured networks: When studying or conducting research off-campus, many people rely on public Wi-Fi networks in places like libraries, cafes, or airports, which are often vulnerable to cyber attacks. A VPN helps protect personal and research data while browsing, ensuring that sensitive information and login credentials are encrypted and protected from potential interception.

Unrestricted access to international resources: Certain research tools and educational content may only be accessible from specific regions. A VPN can help bypass these geographic restrictions, allowing students and researchers to access international academic resources and relevant information, enhancing the effectiveness and quality of their work.

Secure collaboration and data transfer: Conducting research and collaborating often requires sharing files or discussing data and findings. A VPN ensures these communications and data transfers are secure, providing added peace of mind for those handling sensitive projects requiring discretion and confidentiality.

International mobility: For researchers in particular, a VPN allows access to the same university resources while traveling, enabling them to work securely and continuously even off-campus and during international mobility periods

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With eduVPN, organizations connected to the GARR network have the opportunity to provide their employees, students, and researchers with access to a private corporate network for accessing resources located within the local network.

To use the service in “Institute Access” mode and ensure access to the corporate VPN, the organization must handle the configuration procedures on its own.

eduVPN was established in 2015 as a project of the Dutch research network SURF, which continues to play a leading role in the development of the service.

Within the international community, the service has expanded widely to over twenty countries.