DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
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OFFICE SYMBOL                                                                                      Date

MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT: Battalion/Brigade Policy Memorandum #24 – Computer/Network Maintenance Plan

1.	References.

a.	AR 25-2, Information Assurance, 23 March 2009, paragraph 4-32.d, IAVM Compliance of Peripherals.

b.	DoD 8500.2, Information Assurance Implementation, 6 February 2006; IA Controls VIVM Vulnerability Management, DCBP - Best Security Practices, ECSC - Security Configuration Compliance.

2.	The intent of this memorandum is to establish policy for the Battalion/Brigade Computer Maintenance Plan, which is necessary to keep the unit’s automation equipment updated and Fully Mission Capable.

3.	Workstation maintenance will take place every Thursday from 1300 until 1630. Server maintenance will take place every Friday from 1500 until 1700. During these times the S6 will conduct necessary network, computer, and server maintenance, which will include windows updates, anti-virus updates, IAVA scanning and patches, server reboots, router/switch restarts, and Active Directory maintenance.

4.	User responsibility for Thursday computer maintenance: 1300- 1630.

a.	During this maintenance period computers will be downloading and installing critical updates, patches, and security upgrades. The S6 will also be scanning the network for vulnerabilities.

b.	Users are required to connect ALL NIPR, SIPR, CX-1 and JWICS computers and laptops to the network and ensure they are powered on. This includes any mission critical computers, mission support computers and computers used for administrative actions or command and control.

c.	All SIPR computers must be removed from safes, closets, and drawers and connected to the network. This is extremely important to ensure all computers receive required updates.

d.	Any systems left powered off or disconnected from the network in excess of 45 days will be considered inactive and deleted from the network; users must resubmit these machines for accreditation in order to rejoin these machines to the network.

e.	Users are strongly encouraged to save and back up all mission critical documents to the brigade share drive before 1300 Thursday.

f.	Users may log on and work on the computers during the maintenance times, but must be aware that computer reboots may happen during this period.

g.	At 1630 units in outlying buildings may secure their TACLANES and SIPR computers. All other NIPR computers should remain powered on and users logged off.

5.	User responsibility for Friday server maintenance: 1500- 1700.

a.	During this maintenance period the S6 will update, patch, and reboot servers, routers and switches.

b.	No action is required from the general user; the impact on user workstations should be minimal. However, network resources may be unavailable during this period.

c.	Users are strongly encouraged to save and back up any mission critical documents to the brigade share drive before 1500.

d.	During this maintenance period there will be short network outages. If an extended network outage is required, the S6 will inform the S3 seven days prior to the outage so that all users are informed.

e.	If a user experiences an unusually long period of degraded network service, please contact the S6.

6.	The point of contact for this memorandum is the S6 at (123) 456-7890.

FIRST M. LAST 
XXX, XX
Commanding

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