EMS TRANSMISSION 03/03/2006

Instruction Memorandum 2006-099

Expires: 09/30/2007

 

To:              All Washington Office and Field Office Officials

 

From:          Assistant Director, Information Resources Management

 

Subject:      Windows XP Service Pack 2

Program Area: Information Resources Management.

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) is intended to standardize Windows workstation configurations and security settings throughout the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Information Technology Architecture (ITA).   

Policy/Action:  BLM standard Windows workstations are defined as BLM computers with the Windows XP Operating System installed.  Configuration control is critical to maintain the operational availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information technology (IT) systems.   Failure to maintain operating system and application software version control is an unacceptable management practice. Effective immediately, all BLM computers running the Microsoft Operating Systems shall install Service Pack 2. Windows XP SP2 cleared the National Configuration Control Board (NCCB) process on September 21, 2005.

Timeframe: This policy is effective immediately for all BLM offices. 

Background:  Despite extensive testing, all operating systems and applications are released with “bugs” (errors in the software) that affect security, performance, and stability. Service Pack 2 corrects these and improves the security of the XP Operating System.

 

Impact on Budget: Minimal

 

Manual/Handbook Affected: None

 

Coordination: This IM is has been coordinated with the Enterprise Administrators, the CIO Council and NCCB.

Contact: For questions regarding application of these standards, please contact John T. Smith, BLM Bureau IT Security Manager, at (202) 452-7725.