The C5I Service Center (C5ISC) and CGCYBER recently announced that Windows 11 is coming to a workstation near you starting on June 20. All workstations should have the update within six weeks.
Why is the Coast Guard upgrading to Windows 11?
On June 08, 2022, the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer mandated a DoD-wide transition to Microsoft Windows 11 by October 2025.
What this change means for members:
For most users, the only interaction with the upgrade will be authorizing the pop-up notification informing you the update is ready to install. The upgrade should take roughly two hours, during which time the workstation will be unusable. Individuals who receive the pop-up during business hours will have the option to defer the upgrade for up to eight hours to ensure they have time to complete all necessary tasks for the day.
Cutters will only receive this update when connected via shore-tie.
What benefits should I expect?
Coast Guard workstations will receive a few benefits because of this mandated upgrade. Users can expect a more modern and streamlined feel more consistent with their Windows experience on up-to-date personally owned devices.
Kyle Richardson, an IT Project Manager with the C5ISC-UCPL-PSM, shared these thoughts. “The only real change users will anticipate is the new graphic user interface (GUI). Many of the updated security features are on the backend, and most users will not acknowledge or notice (them) even being present. Eventually, as we add more modern technology, users should notice their computers running faster as fewer resources will be used.” 
Richardson also expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the Coast Guard’s technology. “I am personally excited about these changes. It is wonderful to see USCG moving to more modern technologies that can help make our work lives easier.”
In the news:
Approximately 2,100 non-compliant Coast Guard iOS mobile devices lose connectivity on June 30
Coast Guard unveils new cyber mission rating
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