July 14, 2006
To: UCOP
Community
From: Michael Shannon, Manager, Communication Services
Automatic Installation of Patches
By centrally managing UCOP desktop computers, IR&C is now able
to secure your desktop computing environment from exploits and viruses
designed to attack the Microsoft operating system. Effective immediately,
IR&C will implement automatic routine installation of security
patches and updates to your computer. These updates should not cause
you any problems because we will test them in advance, in coordination
with your departmental PC coordinator, prior to sending them to your
desktop systems.
Timeframe for Patch Installation
On the second Friday of each month, IR&C will update all Windows
desktops with those patches that Microsoft has identified as “critical”
and “important.” If the patches require the system to
be restarted, a pop-up window will appear on your screen asking you
to restart your system. You may choose to delay rebooting your computer
for two-hour intervals (the system will prompt you every two hours).
If you have not rebooted your machine by 6:00 p.m., IR&C will
restart it for you to ensure that your desktop is protected. Patches
identified as “moderate” will be installed the following
Friday following the same process used for critical patches.
Importance of Patches
The slight disruption caused by having to restart you computer is
very minimal when compared to the risk of not routinely and properly
updating your computer with security patches. These updates not only
protect your own system from security exploits and unauthorized access
and control, but also protect everyone on our network.
You can learn more about patches by reviewing the Frequently Asked
Questions posted on the IR&C Web site: http://www.ucop.edu/irc/services/patchesupdatesfaq.html.
Thank you in advance for working with IR&C to secure the UCOP
computing environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please
do not hesitate to contact me at 987-0371 or the IR&C Technology
Service Desk at 987-0457.
