Software Installation Requirements
To maintain a secure, compliant, and reliable computing environment, all software installed on university-owned systems must meet established standards and approval requirements. These requirements are especially critical in a medical university setting, where systems may store, process, or access sensitive student, research, clinical, and patient-related information.
Current Version Requirement
Only vendor-supported and current software versions should be installed on university devices. Software that is outdated or has reached end-of-life (EOL) status presents significant security and operational risks.
Current software versions are required because they:
- Receive security updates and patches that protect against known vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
- Maintain compatibility with operating systems, enterprise security tools, and other university-supported applications.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements, including standards related to healthcare, research, and data protection.
- Provide improved stability, performance, and vendor support.
- Reduce the risk of system compromise, data breaches, and service interruptions.
Software that is no longer supported by the vendor may not be approved for installation unless a documented business justification and risk assessment have been completed.
Verified Download Source Requirement
All software must be obtained from verified and authorized sources. Before installation, the download site must be reviewed and validated to ensure the software originates from the legitimate vendor or an approved distribution channel.
Approved sources include:
- The software manufacturer's official website.
- University-approved software repositories or software centers.
- Authorized vendor portals and licensing platforms.
- Trusted application stores approved by Information Technology.
Software should not be downloaded from:
- Third-party file-sharing websites.
- Unverified download portals.
- Personal cloud storage links.
- Websites with questionable authenticity or security practices.
Verification of the download source helps ensure:
- The software has not been modified, tampered with, or infected with malware.
- Licensing requirements are properly met.
- The software package is authentic and supported by the vendor.
- The university's security, compliance, and data protection standards are maintained.
Review and Approval
All software installation requests may be subject to review by Information Technology personnel. Software that does not meet current version standards, lacks vendor support, or originates from an unverified source may be denied installation to protect university systems and data.
By adhering to these requirements, the university helps maintain a secure, compliant, and dependable technology environment that supports education, research, healthcare services, and administrative operations.