Accessing the NSF Network Remotely

This page outlines how staff can access the U.S. National Science Foundation's internal network while teleworking or traveling.

Accessing the network when away from the NSF building allows you to use NSF applications, systems and internal resources.

For security reasons, you should use your NSF-provided computer whenever possible.

Your options for remote access, in order of agency preference, are:

  1. Virtual Private Network (VPN) on an NSF computer.
  2. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) on non-NSF laptops or desktops.
  3. Office 365.

On this page

Using the VPN

Accessing the VPN with your NSF laptop gives you a secure and reliable connection to the NSF internal network, providing you with the same experience as you would have if you were working in the office. NSF strongly recommends that you use the VPN for remote access.

What you'll need:

  1. Internet access.
  2. Your NSF-provided computer.
  3. Cisco Secure Client (which comes pre-installed on your NSF computer).
  4. Your Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card.
  5. A PIV card reader. (If you need a PIV card reader, please contact your IT Specialist or the IT Service Desk.)

What you can access on the VPN:

All the same functionality of your in-office workstation.

How to use the VPN:

Insert your PIV card in the PIV card reader. Open Cisco Secure Client on your NSF computer and select "Connect." When prompted, enter your authentication pin. Once connected to the VPN, you can use your computer as you would if you were working at your in-office workstation.

Using VDI

If you do not have your NSF-provided computer, you can access the NSF network using VDI.

VDI is a web-based remote access system that lets you work remotely from any Windows or Mac computer. It includes a virtual Windows 10 desktop that you can set up to match how you use Windows 10 on your NSF computer.

What you'll need:

  1. Internet access
  2. A Windows or Mac computer.
  3. Your PIV card.
  4. A PIV card reader. (If you need a PIV card reader, please contact your IT Specialist or the IT Service Desk.)

What you can access on VDI:

  • Office 365 and other standard applications.
  • NSF eBusiness applications.
  • Internal resources such as InsideNSF, SharePoint sites and network drives.

How to use VDI:

  1. Visit vdi.nsf.gov.
  2. Once at the sign-in page, select "sign in with your PIV Card."
  3. Select either "Desktops" or "Apps" to launch.
  4. When prompted, enter your pin associated with your PIV card.
  5. If prompted, click on "Detect Citrix Workspace app." If this is your first time using this method on your computer, you'll be prompted to download and install Citrix Workspace before you are able to access the virtual desktop.

Using Office 365

You can access Office 365, including your NSF email, calendar and OneDrive, from any device.

What you'll need:

  1. Internet or cellular data access.
  2. Any desktop, laptop or mobile device (personal or federal).
  3. Microsoft Authenticator app. You'll need to enable this as a sign-on option using the NSF Password RESET Tool.

What you can access on Office 365:

Your NSF email, your Outlook calendar, contacts and OneDrive.

How to use Office 365:

  1. Visit outlook.office365.com/owa/.
  2. Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator.

Need help?

Contact the NSF IT Service Desk between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time:

Email: ITServiceDesk@nsf.gov
Phone: (703) 292-HELP (x4357) or 1-800-711-8084

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