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End user devices - Supported operating systems

  • Release date: 08/10/2021
  • Review date: 08/11/2022
  • Author: Edward Hiley
  • Version: 1.0.1

What is this policy?

This policy covers the use of operating systems used by end-user devices that are supplied by and to be used by The Data Shed members of staff, or contractors working at The Data Shed.

The policy applies to any end-user device supplied by The Data Shed or virtual machine running on The Data Shed hosting being used for busines-as-usual/interactive activities. End user devices includes, and is not limited to, laptops, desktops, tablets and mobile phones (see Exclusions).

Keeping to this policy is especially important to ensure that our laptops are secure, supportable and consistent. This means there is more time to focus on solving business problems, not operating system problems. It is also critical for achieving Cyber Essentials Plus, which gives confidence to customers that The Data Shed are working to protect from cyber attacks, and is required for certain contracts.

Exclusions

The policy does not apply where:

  1. Clients have provided an end-user device for working on a particular project. Client supplied and/or owned devices remain the concern of the client, and any policies that the client may have in place need to be observed.
  2. End-user devices have been provided by The Data Shed for a single project with specific requirements that conflict with this policy. The policy for these devices will be agreed separately.
  3. End-user devices have not been supplied by The Data Shed (Bring Your Own Device - BYOD).
  4. Operating systems are being used non-interactively as part of a running service, ephemeral or otherwise, being used as part of development1.

Existing non compliant devices

There will be some pre-existing devices that do not meet this policy - such as those running linux desktops. There are considered out of support, either:

  1. Arrange for Support to prepare a new supported build to work with to minimise disruption and return the previous device, or.
  2. Wait for a normal device refresh to take place and move to a supported version then.

Either option should take place within 6 months.

The policy

Laptops and desktops

The table below describes the operating systems that can be used at The Data Shed.

Operating System Version How to check
macOS 11.1+, 12.3.1+ macOS version
Windows 10 (21H1), 11 Windows version
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Ubuntu version

Tablets and mobile devices

The table below describes the operating systems that can be used on tablets and mobile devices at The Data Shed.

Operating System Version How to check
iOS 15.0.1+ iOS version
Android >=11 Android version

  1. It is expected that serverless or managed SaaS services are used where possible to avoid the proliferation of 'pets' - or in other words, more things The Data Shed needs to secure and keep up to date. ↩