Apple Monthly Security Updates
Summary:
To maintain a strong security presence at SLCC, the college pushes updates to both on-site and off-site Mac computers on a regular basis. These updates will ask to be installed daily but can be deferred for seven days for normal updates, or 3 days for more critical updates. After seven days, warning messages will appear that your computer will in 60 minutes Quit Apps without saving files. The computer will restart if required. Many of the applications, if closed, will auto update in the background without user interaction. You can initiate these updates at your convenience prior to the patch deadline, by opening SLCC Self Service in the Applications Folder, and run any listed updates. We will push updates for the following software: Apple MacOS, Adobe, Microsoft Office 365, Cisco Jabber/WebEx, Parallels RAS, Google Chrome, Firefox, Zoom.us, etc.
To be more user-friendly, we changed the way of enforcement of Microsoft updates on Macs. Closed Microsoft Office Applications will auto update in the background. Open Microsoft Office Applications will receive a daily request to quit and update. Once closed, Microsoft Office Applications will auto-update. On the 7th day you will receive a 60-minute countdown to save, quit and update before being forced to quit and update.
Starting February 17th, 2026, SLCC will begin remotely Locking MacOS that have exceeded 120 days outside of compliance.
30 Days after release, any computer that does not have the latest version will begin receiving daily notifications to update. There are inconsistencies with Admin by Request. Sometimes you will have to request an administrative session to complete macOS updates. If you’re wanting an update to do a major release update, it is recommended that you temporarily add yourselves to the early adopters’ group by Self-Service. Otherwise, you may need to do a Second update. These warning will continue until the 120 day window has passed.
Here is an example of a notice you may receive if you are out of compliance:
“Your Mac has not done the latest macOS updates that SLCC OIT pushed in December. Please update to macOS 15.7.3 Sequoia or macOS 26.2 Tahoe. Until you do so, unlocking your computer with Touch ID will be disabled. If you need assistance, please contact the SLCC OIT Helpdesk at 801-957-5555 or by emailing helpdesk@slcc.edu.”
A MacOS 120 days or more out of date will be sent a Remote Lock Command and require a PIN to unlock.
SLCC Support for Legacy Macs Models and MacOS
Existing computers deployed and actively in use but incompatible with the latest macOS, can be used until their macOS version is retired. We will send notifications directly to the machine weekly starting in January. Apple stops providing security updates in July, So the college will remote lock computers after grades are due for summer semester.
On computers that can upgrade but are running an old macOS, they will be remotely locked after spring semester prior to the projected final security update in July.
If you are unsure which versions of MacOS are supported, you can refer to our MacOS 15 Sequoia and College Supported Mac Models knowledge base article.
If you have not installed the JAMF client please follow these instructions.