IT Patch Management Policy: Deployment Overview

Rogue Community College (RCC) IT is implementing an improved patch management policy to ensure staff systems remain secure, up-to-date and efficient. The policy is designed to minimize disruptions during work hours while providing a seamless and reliable update process. Below is an overview of the changes, staff responsibilities and tips to ensure compliance.

Key Highlights of the Policy

  1. Automatic Updates for Desktops
    • Desktop systems should not be powered off.
    • RCC IT will manage desktop systems, including automatically powering them on and off for updates.
  2. Proactive Laptop Management
    For staff using laptops, the following guidelines apply:
    • Dock laptops at the end of the day, leave the lid open and ensure the device is powered on.
    • For laptops taken home, plug them in, leave them powered on, leave the lid open and connect to Wi-Fi overnight several times per week.
    • While nightly updates are not required, regular compliance ensures laptops remain updated and reduces the risk of interruptions during the workday.
  3. Deployment During Non-Work Hours (Monday through Sunday)
    • Updates will be deployed between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Monday through Sunday.
    • Staff working during this time will receive a 15-minute notification before updates begin.
    • Updates can be postponed for up to three hours at a time, with a maximum of three postponements (a total of nine hours).
    • Once postponement options are exhausted, updates will automatically begin if still within the deployment window.

Why This Matters

  • Security: Keeps all devices protected against the latest vulnerabilities.
  • Performance: Ensures systems operate efficiently with the most recent updates and fixes.
  • Convenience: Proactively managed updates reduce the likelihood of unexpected interruptions during work hours.

Need Assistance?

This proactive approach underscores RCC’s commitment to maintaining a secure and reliable IT environment. For questions, please submit a ticket to the IT Help Desk.