A network administrator is comparing security... | Information and Communication Technology (9-1) 0983 | Paper 1 Mock 21 | Theory

Question 1 Report

A network administrator is comparing security update approaches.

Feature	Automatic updates	Manual updates
Speed of deployment	Applied as soon as available	Applied when administrator chooses
Testing before deployment	No testing on local system	Can be tested before deployment
User intervention required	None	Administrator must initiate

(a) Explain two advantages of using automatic security updates. [2]

(b) Explain two advantages of using manual security updates in a business environment. [2]

(c) Suggest which approach would be more suitable for a large organisation. Give a reason for your answer. [2]

Answer

Answer Details

(a) Two advantages of using automatic security updates:

Security vulnerabilities are patched immediately as soon as the update is available, reducing the window of time during which the system is exposed to known threats. [1]
There is no reliance on the administrator to remember or schedule updates, ensuring consistent and timely protection without human intervention. [1]

(b) Two advantages of using manual security updates in a business environment:

The administrator can test updates on a small number of systems first to check for compatibility issues with existing software before deploying the update across the entire network. [1]
Updates can be scheduled during non-working hours to avoid disruption to business operations, rather than being applied at a potentially inconvenient time. [1]

(c) Which approach is more suitable for a large organisation:

Manual updates would be more suitable for a large organisation. [1]
An untested automatic update could cause software compatibility issues across hundreds of workstations simultaneously. Manual updates allow controlled, staged deployment where the administrator can test on a subset of machines first, roll back if problems are found, and schedule installation during maintenance windows. [1]

A network administrator is comparing security update approaches. Feature Automatic updates Manual updates Speed of deployment Applied as soon as available A...