Syntax IT Services | Update for the Meltdown and Spectre Vulnerability
Syntax IT Services provide expert remote, onsite and proactive support as well as project management for everything from a server installation to a hardware refresh or even office move and cabling. We are a leading Software Development company in the UK for Desktop, Web applications and Mobile app development, testing, support and cloud hosting. Call us today: 0844 264 1310
Derby, Nottingham, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Leicestershire, East, West, Midlands, SMB, Small, Medium, Business, Flexible, Managed, Hosted, Remote, Onsite, Private, Office, Anti Virus, Spam, Backup, Back Up, DR, Disaster Recovery, Proactive, IT, Security, Cloud, Project, Software, Application, Exchange, Asset, Mobile, Device, Hardware, Server, Cabling, Domain, Support, Analysis, Audit Management, Refresh, Migration, Hosting, Development, Services, Installation, Syntax, Datashield, Data Shield, Mailminder, Mail minder, Crown Commercial Services,
16552
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-16552,single-format-standard,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-theme-ver-13.9,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.4.7,vc_responsive

Update for the Meltdown and Spectre Vulnerability

 

Syntax’s update on the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerability including currently known planned updates with timescales and potential business impact

Type : Windows Update (Essential Security Fix)

Overview : Following up on the recent disclosure in the news of exploits that affect Intel, AMD, and ARM processors, commonly named ‘Meltdown and Spectre‘.

Microsoft is releasing an emergency update for supported Windows operating systems. For Syntax Support customers who have patch management as part of their service offering, their supported systems will automatically be updated once this security update is available. At this time the update is believed to be available for deployment on or before 9/1/2018.

Apple has released mitigations for Meltdown in iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, and tvOS 11.2 and are releasing an update to address ‘Spectre’ in the next few days. Apple Watch and watchOS are not affected. Please ensure you keep all Apple devices updated; As Apple devices can only be updated via Apple directly, Syntax are unable to manage or control these updates, however for customers with supported Apple devices on their support contracts Syntax are here to assist. If you need help updating devices please do call on 01332 921579

In addition to the software and operating system updates identified above it is understood that there will be further firmware or driver updates from the makers of CPU’s affected by these 2 security flaws. At this point in time there is not sufficient information available to enable Syntax to provide a specific date for the availability of these additional updates however, it is believed to be in the next few days. Syntax is committed to proactively monitor this situation and report back once we are able to do so.

Company Impact : Please be advised that users may expirence a small amount of downtime during the automatic installation of the update, below are some guide timeframes for when this will be released however this will be periodically rolled out by Microsoft with no control from Syntax.

Timeframe : For Windows 10 machines, the update was released on 3rd January from 12:00pm and will be automatically applied to all machines. The Windows 7 and 8 update will be released on Tuesday 9th January.