Patch management is an update process for every node on the corporate network. This includes endpoints in physically inaccessible locations such as remote laptops and mobile devices.

Deploying patch management means that staff will not need to manually check for and deploy software patches, which will typically be an exhaustive, time-consuming task.

New vulnerabilities are discovered every day and unpatched systems are one of the easier attack vectors for cyber-criminals to take advantage of. Companies continually release new patches as vulnerabilities are uncovered by researchers and hackers and if your business does not apply these updates then cyber-criminals have an easy entry point into your network.

Furthermore, patch management also ensures that your technology continues to function as it should. Software bugs, even minor ones, can cause headaches and impact employee productivity so automatic patching ensures that these problems can be resolved as soon as possible.

While automatic updates are beneficial, the best patch management strategy is one which balances automatic and manual updates.

Automatic updates are not a cure-all and can sometimes cause problems if they have not been properly vetted. Just this month, Microsoft had to roll out a second round of patches to fix bugs introduced by Patch Tuesday. This second round came just six days later and was aimed at four specific bugs and bought the total number of patches released in July to 156.

The most effective way to manage patches will vary between each organization, but there are a few key factors which apply to all:

1. Critical security fixes should be applied as soon as possible.
2. For all other patches, consider how often the software is used and how business critical it is to decide how urgent the patching is.
3. Where possible, ensure that patches are installed outside of working hours to minimize disruption to business workflows.

The key concern for most businesses is the number of patches and the manpower required to deal with them, however, with patch management and new technologies, patches can be managed much more effectively.

Our managed patching solutions covers not just Windows and Linux operating system patching but also covers over 250+ 3rd-party programs. We also have the ability to add patching for custom software applications.

While patch management is not a cast iron guarantee against every potential vulnerability out there (or which may arise in the future), it is a preventative measure to protect the integrity and security of your network infrastructure and information systems.

However, it’s clear that many are still not implementing security patches. This can be seen by the fact that one of the most popular vulnerabilities to exploit is a remote code execution in the Windows common controls, known as CVE-2010-2568. An exploit which was patched in 2012.

If a vulnerability does arise, having a solid patch management system in place means that the network is being constantly monitored. This is especially important when it comes to preventing a “Zero Day Attack”, which is an exploit which can occur while a patch is in the process of being produced to repair it.