Reminder: Update Your Computer’s Operating System & Antivirus Protection in the Coming Weeks

You received this information in emails on Oct. 19 and 20. This is your reminder about updating your computer’s operating system. 

The Agency is preparing to upgrade all of its Mac computers to Apple’s current operating system, macOS 11 (Big Sur). 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 Big Sur, 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. 

You will receive an email with detailed instructions about how to perform the 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 Big Sur” installer is already located in your Applications folder, the process could take as little as 20 minutes. If an older model is being upgraded and the needed “Install macOS Big Sur” 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 Big Sur” installer in the Applications folder. 

Included in the email you’ll receive is a short video we encourage you to watch prior to doing the upgrade so you know what to expect. NOTE: You will need 45 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 11 (Big Sur) by Nov. 12, 2021, before the rush of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

If you have any questions, contact Mike Permann on the Internal Technology Team.