diff --git a/docs/services/virtualmachines/policies.md b/docs/services/virtualmachines/policies.md
index 24ca28047..e965bdcce 100644
--- a/docs/services/virtualmachines/policies.md
+++ b/docs/services/virtualmachines/policies.md
@@ -35,3 +35,7 @@ The current policy is:
 * The VM disk images are not backed up
 
 We strongly advise that you keep copies of any critical data on on an alternative system that is fully backed up.
+
+## Patching of User VMs
+
+The EIDF team updates and patches the hypervisors and the cloud management software as part of the EIDF Maintenance sessions. It is the responsibility of project PIs to keep the VMs in their projects up to date. VMs running the Ubuntu operating system automatically install security patches and alert users at log-on (via SSH) to reboot as necessary for the changes to take effect. It also encourages users to update packages.