r/sysadmin • u/CurrentFig3376 • 3h ago

General Discussion Interview Question: How often do you update/patch your system?

I was asked this question during an interview and I said "it depends on what exactly you're updating, but I update as often as it's needed."

I don't think this was the answer they were looking for, but how would you answer this question?

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u/NirvanaFan01234 3h ago

It depends on the needs of the business. Monthly updates, about a week after they're released, even though Microsoft now recommends 3 days for their products, usually works well for client machines. In the past, I've used Intune to configure a few different update rings to roll them out to employees in phases. I've found that balances security and stability well. Obviously, if there is a major security threat, updates should happen quicker. The same goes for infrastructure hardware like routers and switches. They usually get updated during a monthly maintenance window. This is what I've done at most of the companies that I've worked at. Does your company utilize a different update schedule? Why?

It states what you've done in the past, know that Microsoft now recommends 3 days, and have some experience with a technology like Intune. Then, it asks a probing question to learn more about their environment, which invites dialogue about how you can help them.