Impacts to Zoom and Duo resulting from Russia’s attack on Ukraine

University Technology Services (UTS) is advising of current and upcoming changes to McMaster-provided services Zoom and Duo (two-factor authentication) as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

These services are now or will be unavailable to individuals attempting to authenticate from several countries and regions restricted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) — a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the United States Treasury Department.

As of March 10, 2022, the locations below are impacted by this change. McMaster Zoom users trying to connect from any of these countries are most likely to be impacted. Please be aware that other service providers may implement similar sanctions at any time.

Cuba
North Korea
Iran
Sudan
Syria
Crimea region
Sevastopol region
Donetsk region
Luhansk region

Why is this happening?
Some U.S.-based service providers used by McMaster are blocking authentications from individuals whose IP address originate in a country or region in compliance with these sanctions.

What does this mean for McMaster?

As of March 10, 2022, the Zoom web conferencing platform is restricted to certain locations. More information is available here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203806119-Restricted-countries-or-regions
Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) will begin implementing restrictions to their service between May 5 and May 12, 2022. Communications will be shared with applicable Mosaic users.

With those dates in mind, individuals whose IP address originates from those countries or regions attempting to authenticate to one of these services may see an “Access denied” or other login failure message.

If you are a member of the McMaster community and are experiencing service access issues, please contact https://uts.mcmaster.ca/contact-us/ for support.

Remember to follow these recommendations to keep Zoom meetings secure. UTS will continue to monitor and communicate any additional impacted services.

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University Technology Services (UTS) is advising of current and upcoming changes to McMaster-provided services <a href="https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203806119-Restricted-countries-or-regions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zoom</a> and Duo (two-factor authentication) as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

These services are now or will be unavailable to individuals attempting to authenticate from several countries and regions restricted by <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) — a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the United States Treasury Department.</a>

As of March 10, 2022, the locations below are impacted by this change. McMaster Zoom users trying to connect from any of these countries are most likely to be impacted. <strong>Please be aware that other service providers may implement similar sanctions at any time.</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Cuba</li>
 	<li>North Korea</li>
 	<li>Iran</li>
 	<li>Sudan</li>
 	<li>Syria</li>
 	<li>Crimea region</li>
 	<li>Sevastopol region</li>
 	<li>Donetsk region</li>
 	<li>Luhansk region</li>
</ul>
<strong>Why is this happening?</strong>
Some U.S.-based service providers used by McMaster are blocking authentications from individuals whose IP address originate in a country or region in compliance with these sanctions.

<strong>What does this mean for McMaster?</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>As of <strong>March 10, 2022</strong>, the <a href="https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203806119-Restricted-countries-or-regions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zoom</a> web conferencing platform is restricted to certain locations. More information is available here: <a href="https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203806119-Restricted-countries-or-regions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203806119-Restricted-countries-or-regions</a></li>
 	<li>Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) will begin implementing restrictions to their service between <strong>May 5 and May 12, 2022</strong>. Communications will be shared with applicable Mosaic users.</li>
</ul>
With those dates in mind, individuals <strong>whose IP address originates</strong> from those countries or regions attempting to authenticate to one of these services may see an “Access denied” or other login failure message.

If you are a member of the McMaster community and are experiencing service access issues, please contact <a href="https://uts.mcmaster.ca/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://uts.mcmaster.ca/contact-us/</a> for support.

Remember to follow these <a href="https://uts.mcmaster.ca/services/computers-printers-and-software/zoom/#tab-content-securing-your-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommendations</a> to keep Zoom meetings secure. UTS will continue to monitor and communicate any additional impacted services.

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