Subject: September 2022 ePatching for macOS – Begins 9/12/2022
WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN:
Fast Ring Testing Schedule:
- Begins: Monday, September 12, 2022
- Allowed Deferral Limit: 3 days from first notification
- Please send Fast Ring feedback using the Service Desk Form
Production Patching Schedule:
- Begins: Thursday, September 15, 2022
- Allowed Deferral Limit: 5 days from first notification
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: ePatching Update Cycle for MacOS
Updates Included with this Patch Cycle:
· macOS Monterey 12.6
· macOS Big Sur 11.7
· Safari 16
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Going forward, the deployment schedule for macOS patches will be tied to Apple’s patch release dates and will no longer be tied to Microsoft’s patch Tuesday. If Apple publishes new update content prior to the completion of the current patch cycle, open actions will be cancelled, and planning will begin to launch a new Update Cycle for MacOS.
The update task will pop up a message notifying you if recommended updates need to install. The message will calculate the deferral deadline date and time as shown. The system will install any required updates automatically after the deadline is reached and will force a restart if needed.
To review the content of Apple security patches, please visit Apple KB HT20122.
Products and versions are located on the TST ePatching page. An archive of previous notifications can be found here.
Additional information regarding vulnerability management actions can be found below.
Important Reminders –
- Please ensure that 10% of Mac devices are included in Fast Ring. For sites with less than 10 but more than 1 Mac, at least one should be added to Fast Ring. Fast Ring Enrollment for Mac OS Systems – USGS Technical Support Teams
- As a reminder, it is best practice to keep the computer connected to a power source at the time update installation begins. Once installation begins, there may be multiple restarts performed to complete the process.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Local system administrators are responsible for testing the required patches and reporting any issues to the ePatching team.
Specific instructions regarding MECM, BigFix, and JAMF patching can be found on the TST website at: https://tst.usgs.gov/security/epatching/
