Action Needed: Update Your Computer’s Operating System and Antivirus by May 15

The Agency is preparing to upgrade all of its Mac computers to Apple’s current operating system, macOS 10.15 (Catalina). Having all staff using the same operating system will enhance our security and simplify the process of providing support. After you’ve completed the upgrade to macOS Catalina, we ask that you install the latest version of Symantec Endpoint Protection from Self Service for improved compatibility with the new operating system. The update will be available under the Utilities category in Self Service. 

Later this week, you will receive an email with detailed instructions about how you will perform this upgrade. This will be a fairly simple process, but it will take some time. For example, if a new computer is being upgraded and the needed “Install macOS Catalina” installer is already located in your Applications folder, the process could take as little as 30 minutes. If an older model is being upgraded and the needed “Install macOS Catalina” installer isn’t already in the Applications folder, then it could take 2-3 hours to download the needed installer and perform the update. So you’ll want to plan your time according to what computer you have and whether you already have the “Install macOS Catalina” installer in the Applications folder. 

Included in the email you’ll receive later this week is a short video we encourage you to watch prior to doing the upgrade so you know what to expect. NOTE: You will need 23 GB of free space in order to perform the upgrade. You will also need to do a Time Machine backup on your external hard drive just prior to performing the upgrade. If you don’t have your Time Machine drive with you, DO NOT attempt to do the upgrade.  

For those of you who upgraded your operating system as part of the pilot group, thank you for your willingness to help us test the process. If you were part of the pilot, there’s no need for you to do any additional upgrades at this time.  The Internal Technology Department asks that you complete the upgrade to macOS 10.15 (Catalina) by May 15.  

If you have any questions, contact Mike Permann in the Internal Technology Department.