Windows Updates Patch Cadence
Calendar Year 2021
Northeastern State University’s (NSU) standard is to release Windows Updates in the same month Microsoft releases them to ensure our data and systems are not at increased risk. Information Technology Services (ITS) applies Windows Updates in a timely manner as they are released as part of Microsoft’s patch cadence. The patches are verified by ITS and other IT Technicians across the University before being released to campus. ITS may release same day updates for very critical security patches.
ITS Testbed Entities: Select ITS full-time staff, ITS Service Desk, Webb Lab 213
Campus Testbed Entities: Optometry Systems Manager’s office workstation and Optometry B7 lab workstations; Director of Library System Services’ office workstation and Library 118A lab workstations
Server Testbed: TQP-BDM01, TQP-CHECKBOX01,TQP-DFS-BDM01, TQP-JAMFPROXY, TQP-MAPS01, NSUM-LS-SCAN01, NSUT-LS-SCAN01, NSUT-LS-SCAN02, NSUT-LS-SQL01, NSUT-LS-WEB01
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NSU Windows Update Test Cadence
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Microsoft Release
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ITS Testbeds
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Campus Testbeds
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Workstations
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Servers
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2nd Tuesday monthly
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2nd Thursday monthly
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2nd Thursday Monthly
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3rd Tuesday Monthly
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3rd Tuesday monthly
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Critical Security Patch
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Day of release
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Day of release
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3 days after release
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7 days after release
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*Microsoft OS release cadence
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information
Patch Types:
Critical Update: A widely released fix for a specific problem that addresses a critical, non-security-related bug
Security Update: A widely released fix for a product-specific, security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low
Update: A widely released fix for a specific problem. An update addresses a noncritical, non-security-related bug
*Additional Microsoft patching information https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/standard-terminology-software-updates
Reporting an issue: While NSU ITS attempts to test all critical functionality there are times when unexpected issues may arise. If you are experiencing issues that you expect to be from a Windows Update, please contact the Service Desk to place a ticket or enter one on our client portal at its.nsuok.edu
Date Changes:
Dates are subject to change based on Microsoft’s release date.