>My IT group has a "policy" where they age all Microsoft patches for 30 days before rolling them out to nearly 100 machines.
>
>I feel this practice is dangerous and puts everyone at risk. I think that at least for the High Priority Security patches they should be installed immediately.
>
>The IT group claims that they install these on a machine in their lab and allegedly "test" it.
>
>What you think?

A very dangerous and biased attitude. Why do they think they know better? There must be a reason.

I would advise your IT department to immedeatly uninstall all MS software, because you can never be to sure.
I would also advise you NOT to attach your personal pc to such an unsecure network, never.

What happens if your network is affected by a worm in the 30 days, a worm which would have been detected by the last update? Whom to blame?
Microsoft or your IT department?

My advise: install a HP patch imm without any delay. Test it, retest it and counter test it not for 3o days but infinitiv. In case you find the SP damaged your system, make use of the backup.
Regards,
Koen