Developers periodically review software and release patches to remedy any bugs. When patches happen often, they can be hard to track.
Patch management is about staying proactive, applying software updates and organizing them to keep everything running smoothly. This minimizes risk and protects your infrastructure from threats that could compromise data and operations.
Here’s a guide to patch management, including its benefits, important steps, and best practices.
Patch management applies vendor-issued updates to software, operating systems, and devices. These patch updates, known as security patches, are critical for fixing security vulnerabilities in development pipelines and enhancing performance.
But patch management is more than just security. It’s also about keeping your business running smoothly. Every piece of software in your IT infrastructure and supply chain, from employee laptops to network devices, requires consistent updating to maintain performance and minimize downtime—especially for critical endpoints. Effective patch management prevents costly breaches, boosts productivity, and ultimately protects your organization's reputation by addressing vulnerabilities before they become exploitable.
Understanding why is patch management important has several benefits:
The patch management lifecycle involves several steps:
The foundation of effective patch management is knowing what assets you have. This involves creating an up-to-date inventory of all software, hardware, and connected devices. Asset management provides insight into your environment and avoids missing any important patch opportunities.
Once you have an inventory of your assets, the next step is to stay informed about available patches. Patch monitoring involves tracking vendors' release schedules and updates to ensure you can react swiftly to new vulnerabilities. Proactively monitoring patches allows your team to mitigate risks before they become serious problems.
Not all patches are equally urgent. Prioritize high-risk vulnerabilities with the greatest potential impact on your organization. This involves distinguishing between critical patches that require immediate application and those that can wait for a later time, directing limited resources to the most critical areas.
Testing avoids unintended disruptions. If possible, test a patch in a controlled environment before deploying it to ensure it won't cause compatibility issues or create new problems. This process catches potential conflicts and avoids affecting business operations.
Once testing is complete, deploy the patch across your network. Depending on your infrastructure's capabilities, this can be done manually or automatically.
Documenting the patching process supports compliance and continuous improvement. Record what patches you applied, when, and to which systems. Regular reviews help you assess patch success, measure return on investment (ROI), and make improvements over time.
Whether deploying your own patches or applying those for networks and tools, these best practices streamline patching, reduce risks, and keep environments secure:
Regular patch audits help you identify missed or failed patches, verify that all systems are up to date, and assess the overall health of your patch management program. This avoids gaps in coverage, minimizing the risk of unpatched vulnerabilities.
By using automated software for patch management, you can apply patches consistently and promptly, reducing the chance of human error or delays. Automation also lets your IT teams focus on more strategic tasks rather than taking time to manually apply updates.
Patch planning involves scheduling updates during maintenance windows to minimize disruption, coordinating across teams, and prioritizing patches based on the criticality of the vulnerability. This avoids unexpected downtime and ensures that patching occurs smoothly, with minimal impact on day-to-day operations.
Testing patches before full deployment prevents potential system outages. By first applying patches in a controlled test environment, you can verify their compatibility and make sure they don’t introduce new issues.
Keep an up-to-date inventory of all hardware, software, and systems. Management software can help you maintain this inventory, including every asset in the patching process.
Managing patches is critical for securing your IT environment, minimizing vulnerabilities, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. But patch management can be complex, especially when deciding which vulnerabilities to address first. This is where Legit Security comes in.
Legit Security equips you with the tools to effectively find, fix, and prevent application risk. It doesn’t just highlight application vulnerabilities, but also gives you the full context you need to make smart remediation decisions.