Administrative Rights to Computers
Administrative rights allow users to install software, change system settings, and perform other advanced tasks on a computer.
Because these privileges can increase security risk, administrative rights on university-owned computers are granted only when there is a demonstrated business, academic, research, or technical need.
Before You Request Administrative Rights
You may not need administrative rights to install software.
CSUN provides self-service options for installing many approved applications on managed university computers without administrative access.
View Self-Service Software Management
If the software you need is not available, contact your college or department technical support team or the IT Help Center for assistance.
When Administrative Rights May Be Needed
Administrative rights may be appropriate for:
- Specialized academic or research software.
- Software development or testing.
- Specialized hardware or equipment.
- Technical or system administration responsibilities.
- Other documented university business needs requiring elevated access.
Administrative rights should be used only when elevated privileges are required.
Your Responsibilities
If you are granted administrative rights, you must:
- Use administrative credentials only when elevated access is required.
- Use your regular CSUN account for everyday activities, including email and web browsing.
- Never share your administrative credentials.
- Keep required security software, updates, patching, and security controls enabled.
- Install only authorized and appropriately licensed software.
- Follow applicable software licensing and procurement requirements.
- Protect university information in accordance with CSUN policies and standards.
- Promptly report suspected security incidents or device compromises.
View Information Security Policies & Standards
Request Administrative Rights
Administrative rights require a documented business or academic need and appropriate approval.
Before submitting a request:
- Check whether the software is available through CSUN's self-service software management tools.
- Confirm that technical support cannot meet the need without providing administrative access.
- Review the responsibilities associated with administrative rights.
- Complete the Administrative Rights Access Request Form.
- Obtain the required approvals.
Administrative Rights Access Request Form
Using Administrative Access
If your request is approved, administrative access is provided separately from your regular CSUN account.
Use your regular CSUN account for normal work and your administrative credentials only when a task requires elevated privileges.
Administrative rights do not authorize users to disable or bypass university security controls.
Misuse of Administrative Rights
Administrative access may be revoked when privileges are misused or create an unacceptable security risk.
Examples include:
- Disabling required security software, patches, updates, or security controls.
- Installing malicious, unauthorized, or unlicensed software.
- Sharing administrative credentials.
- Using administrative credentials for routine web browsing or other everyday activities.
- Circumventing university security requirements.
- Causing unauthorized access to or exposure of protected university information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily.
Many approved applications can be installed on managed university computers through CSUN's self-service software tools without administrative rights.
View Self-Service Software Management
If the software you need is unavailable, contact your technical support team or the IT Help Center.
Administrative privileges provide extensive control over a computer. If an administrative account or device is compromised, those privileges may allow an attacker to install malware, change security settings, access information, or affect other university technology.
Limiting elevated privileges helps reduce these risks.
No. Administrative credentials should be used only when a task requires elevated privileges.
Use your regular CSUN account for email, web browsing, documents, and other routine activities.
No. Software installed on university-owned devices must comply with applicable CSUN security, procurement, licensing, and technology requirements.
Administrative rights do not override these requirements.
No. Administrative rights do not authorize users to disable or interfere with required security controls, software updates, patching, malware protection, or other university security tools.
Yes. CSUN may revoke administrative access when it is no longer needed, security requirements are not followed, or use of the privileges creates an unacceptable risk.
Resources
- Administrative Rights Access Request Form — Request administrative rights for a university-owned computer.
- Self-Service Software Management — Install available software on managed PCs and Macs without administrative rights.
- Policies & Standards — Review access control and other information security requirements.
- Information Security — Find security guidance, services, and assistance.
- IT Help Center — Get assistance with software installation and university technology.
Need Help?
If you're unsure whether administrative rights are necessary, contact your technical support team or the IT Help Center before submitting a request.
IT Help Center: (818) 677-1400
Information Security: (818) 677-6100